In just over a week, Iceland has been rocked by 18,000 earthquakes. A sudden increase in seismic activity in the southwestern part of Iceland has led scientists to conclude. That a volcanic eruption is imminent.
After nearly a year of frequent quakes in the region, including some that were felt as far away as Reykjavik. The extreme seismic activity has peaked. The one that was registered on February 24 morning was the largest of them all. The 5.6 magnitude earthquake was felt in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. As well as large areas of western Iceland.
Iceland is bracing itself for an 800-year-old dormant volcano that may erupt!
On February 27 and March 1, two more earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 5.0 were reported. Since then, the area has experienced an unusually high number of minor tremors.
The tremors indicating a possible eruption were detected near Mount Keilir on Wednesday afternoon. According to the Icelandic Met Office. Mount Keilir, in particular, has been dormant for the past 800 years.
“The magma is fracturing and it is so close to the surface… that we have to take it seriously.” Freysteinn Sigmundsson, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland, told AFP.
Sigmundsson cautioned that while an eruption is likely, “it is not certain— the situation can last for hours. Or even longer with several small earthquakes.”
Roads across the mountain have reportedly been closed as a precaution. Just a few kilometres separate the Keflavik International Airport and Grindavik (a fishing town).
“In the event of an eruption, we anticipate a minor one with lava flowing. We do not anticipate a large-scale, explosive eruption. The effect on the environment, planes, and people’s living conditions will be minor “Sigmundsson said.
Iceland is normally struck by 1,000 tremors every year. In eight days, however, about 17,000 tremors were reported. In eight days, however, about 17,000 tremors were reported.
Iceland is Europe’s most active volcanic zone, with eruptions occurring every five years on average. Iceland is Europe’s most active volcanic zone, with eruptions occurring every five years on average.
Over 100,000 flights were cancelled worldwide due to an eruption at the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in 2010. According to CNN, Elsabet Pálmadóttir, a natural hazards expert at the Icelandic Meteorological Office. A similar ash plume is unlikely in the current situation.
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