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| Iceland volcano: Emergency declared over volcano Fagradalsfjall eruption concerns | Iceland volcano: Emergency declared over volcano Fagradalsfjall eruption concerns |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| Drone footage from July shows volcanic activity in the Fagradalsfjall area | Drone footage from July shows volcanic activity in the Fagradalsfjall area |
| Drone footage from July shows volcanic activity in the Fagradalsfjall area | Drone footage from July shows volcanic activity in the Fagradalsfjall area |
| The chance of a volcanic eruption in Iceland is rising, posing a threat to a now-evacuated town, experts say. | |
| Iceland has declared a state of emergency after a series of earthquakes. | |
| Authorities have ordered overnight thousands living in the southwestern town of Grindavík to leave as a precaution. | |
| The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said there was a considerable risk of an eruption. | |
| The probability of an eruption on or just off the Reykjanes peninsula has increased since the morning, IMO says. | |
| An eruption could start at any time in the next few days, according to the statement. | An eruption could start at any time in the next few days, according to the statement. |
| Thor Thordason, professor of volcanology at the University of Iceland, said a 15km-long (nine mile) river of magma running under the peninsula was still active. | |
| "That's why we're talking about an imminent eruption unfortunately. The most likely eruption side appears to be within the boundary of the town of Grinadvik," he told the BBC. | |
| Thousands of tremors have been recorded around the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano in recent weeks. | Thousands of tremors have been recorded around the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano in recent weeks. |
| They have been concentrated in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, which had remained dormant to volcanic activity for 800 years before a 2021 eruption. | They have been concentrated in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, which had remained dormant to volcanic activity for 800 years before a 2021 eruption. |
| Earth tremors have caused the ground to slip at this golf course and elsewhere in Grindavik | Earth tremors have caused the ground to slip at this golf course and elsewhere in Grindavik |
| In a statement on Saturday the agency said a tunnel of magma, or molten rock, that extends northeast across Grindavik and some 10km further inland, was estimated at a depth of less than 800 metres, compared with 1,500 metres earlier in the day. | |
| On Thursday, the increased seismic activity in the area prompted the closure of the nearby Blue Lagoon landmark. | |
| More than 20,000 tremors have been recorded in southwest Iceland since late October. | |
| Iceland's Civil Protection Agency said the decision to evacuate came after the IMO could not rule out a "magma tunnel that is currently forming could reach Grindavík". | Iceland's Civil Protection Agency said the decision to evacuate came after the IMO could not rule out a "magma tunnel that is currently forming could reach Grindavík". |
| And on Friday, the agency said people must leave the town, but also emphasised it was not an "emergency evacuation" - calling on them to "remain calm, because we have a good amount of time to react". | And on Friday, the agency said people must leave the town, but also emphasised it was not an "emergency evacuation" - calling on them to "remain calm, because we have a good amount of time to react". |
| "There is no immediate danger imminent, the evacuation is primarily preventive with the safety of all Grindavík residents as the principal aim," it added. | "There is no immediate danger imminent, the evacuation is primarily preventive with the safety of all Grindavík residents as the principal aim," it added. |
| All roads into the town of around 4,000 people are closed other than for emergencies, to ensure traffic can get in and out. | All roads into the town of around 4,000 people are closed other than for emergencies, to ensure traffic can get in and out. |
| Cracks from the volcanic activity have damaged roads in Grindavik | Cracks from the volcanic activity have damaged roads in Grindavik |
| Iceland is one of the most geologically active regions in the world, with around 30 active volcanic sites. | |
| Volcanic eruptions occur when magma, which is lighter than the solid rock around it, rises to the earth's surface from deep below it. | Volcanic eruptions occur when magma, which is lighter than the solid rock around it, rises to the earth's surface from deep below it. |
| In July, Litli-Hrutur, or Little Ram, erupted in the Fagradalsfjall area, drawing tourists to the site of the "world's newest baby volcano". | In July, Litli-Hrutur, or Little Ram, erupted in the Fagradalsfjall area, drawing tourists to the site of the "world's newest baby volcano". |
| The site was dormant for eight centuries until eruptions in 2021, 2022 and 2023. | The site was dormant for eight centuries until eruptions in 2021, 2022 and 2023. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Volcanoes | Volcanoes |
| Iceland | Iceland |