Reykjavik [Iceland], November 13: All residents of Grindavik town on the peninsula of the same name near Iceland's capital Reykjavik rushed to leave their homes at dawn on November 11 (local time) after authorities discovered a nearby volcano showing signs of erupting.
Experts were alarmed when they witnessed lava from a depth of 5,000 m rising to a level of only about 800 m above the ground within a few days. This movement has caused hundreds of earthquakes, signaling the danger that the volcano here is about to "awaken".
Geology professor Pall Einarrson of the University of Iceland said seismic activity began in the northern region of Grindavik, where a network of craters about 2,000 years old is present. The lava corridor is about 10 km long and is spreading.
The town of Grindavik is located near a geothermal power plant, which provides electricity to about 30,000 people on the Reykjanes peninsula. The town of about 4,000 people is also near the Blue Lagoon resort, a popular tourist destination that is currently closed due to volcanic threats.
"We are really worried about all the houses and infrastructure in the area," AFP yesterday quoted Mr. VidirReynisson, head of Iceland's Civil Protection and Emergency Response Agency. . "The lava flow is at a depth close to the ground, so we expect the eruption could take place within a few hours or a few days," Mr. Reynisson said.
The most likely scenario is that lava erupts from a crack in the ground near Grindavik. "A crack about 15 km long is present, and any point on the crack could have an eruption," according to Mr. Reynisson. However, the official did not rule out an eruption on the sea shelf, which if it occurred would create a huge dust cloud above the Reykjanes peninsula.
Seismic tremors and ground swelling caused by lava intrusion have damaged many roads and buildings in Grindavik and the surrounding area. Faced with the above situation, the government of Iceland, a country with 33 active volcanic systems, declared a state of emergency and ordered the forced evacuation of the town of Grindavik. Temporary tent camps and support centers have opened in several nearby towns. However, the majority of residents in Grindavik choose to stay with relatives or friends.
"At this time, it is not yet possible to determine whether lava will erupt on the ground, and if so, where it will start," according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO). Authorities also raised the air travel warning to "orange".
Ms. Sara Barsotti, IMO's volcano hazards coordinator , said they were extremely surprised by the rapid changes and the amount of lava accumulated in a short period of time. "We are witnessing something that has never happened before," AFP quoted Ms. Barsotti as saying.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
