Iceland is bracing for a volcanic eruption that can occur within hours or days. This has led to the evacuation of the town of Grindavik as the area experienced hundreds of earthquakes.
Grindavik is located 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. The European is now under a state of emergency as it prepares for what is believed to be an imminent eruption.
According to a report by The Guardian, Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland's Civil Protection and Emergency Management, has expresses concern for the homes and infrastructure in the area.
"The magma is now at a very shallow depth, so we're expecting an eruption within a couple of hours at the shortest, but at least within a couple of days," he said.
While the government is expecting for the eruption to occur via a fissure that opened near Grindavik, it is not discounting the possibility that it can occur on the ocean floor.
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Closing of the Blue Lagoon
The town of Grindavik can be found in the Reykjanes region. According to Reuters, this region is considered to be a hot spot for volcanic and seismic activity. The area began showing volcanic activity in 2021.
An eruption took place in August 2022, followed by another one in July of this year. All of these took place in unpopulated areas of the region, but prompted the visit of many travelers who want to witness the eruption.
The ongoing threat of a volcanic eruption has also led to the temporary closure of Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa that is considered to be one of the country's top tourist attractions.
A Reminder to Travelers in Iceland
While volcanic activity can be a sight to behold, travelers are urged to remain cautious and not go near sites that exhibit such activity. This is due to the threats that volcanic activity can pose to the health and safety of travelers.
Travelers currently in Iceland should be alert and promptly follow any instructions issued by the government, including evacuation orders.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
