Iceland Volcano Threat Forces 4,000 People To Evacuate, Government Declares State Of Emergency

Iceland faces volcanic eruption as the nation deals with a series of earthquakes that led authorities to declare a state of emergency. The seismic activity, centered primarily in the town of Grindavik, has caused major road cracks, leading to the evacuation of approximately 4,000 residents. While people were initially ordered to vacate, residents were later permitted to return for a short duration to gather essential items. The government issued a warning to citizens regarding the ongoing seismic activity and its potential consequences. A video circulated on the Instagram page Kiddaan shows massive cracks in the middle of Icelandic town, leaving the main street inaccessible and visible steam rising from the ground. The alarming footage has sparked concern on social media.

Grindavik locals recounted being abruptly evacuated from their residences during the early hours during ground tremors, cracks in roads and structural damage to buildings. Authorities continue to advise residents to remain alert, stay updated with information and follow safety guidelines as they monitor and address the conditions in the affected area. The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management of Iceland highlighted the gravity of the circumstances and stated, “The National police chief declares a state of emergency for civil defence due to the intense earthquake (activity) at Sundhnjukagigar, north of Grindavik.”

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As per 9 News, authorities in Iceland conducted aerial surveys over a recently erupted volcano to assess the threat of lava toward an evacuated nearby town. Webcams installed by the nation’s weather service captured visuals of lava flowing through the terrain close to Hagafell, following an earthquake. Surveys conducted by the Coast Guard’s helicopter revealed a 4 Km long crack caused by the volcanic activity.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Icelandic Meteorological Office said, “The power of the eruption that started about four hours ago seems to be decreasing. It can be seen on both seismometers and GPS meters. The fact that the activity is already reducing is not an indication of how long the eruption will last, but rather that the eruption is stabilising.”

Earlier this month, the famous tourist destination, Blue Lagoon, decided to extend its closure due to safety concerns. Iceland’s Met Office had indicated a drop in seismic activity, however, the state of emergency continues. Authorities previously cautioned about the high probability of an eruption east of Sylingarfell, an area close to the popular tourist spot. Despite the decline in seismic movements, ongoing attention remains crucial as the region remains on high alert due to the continued issue.