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Huge cracks appear on roads in Icelandic town at risk of volcanic eruption
A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned.
The country has been shaken by more than 800 small earthquakes, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country. Scientists have said an eruption at some point is ‘likely’.
It comes as a Caterpillar D11 – said to be Iceland’s biggest bulldozer – has been dispatched to help build defences. The huge piece of equipment is constructing trenches to reduce the damage caused by any eventual disaster.
Almost 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik over the weekend as authorities feared that molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth and potentially hit the coastal town and a geothermal power station.
Ragga Agustsdottir, who lives close to Grindavik, said residents were fearful of what could happen if an eruption struck.
Scientists have warned Iceland’s south-western peninsula could face “decades” of volcanic instability following eruptions along the peninsula.
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Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake
Ms McLean, 34, captured the moment the furniture and light fixtures shook violently in Mr Gunnarsson’s home when the volcano erupted.
Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.
Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake
A couple cling to one another as their house shakes violently in an earthquake during a volcanic eruption in Iceland. Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, 29, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday (10 November) as his house shook and locals frantically evacuated the area. Ms McLean, 34, captured the moment the furniture and light fixtures shook violently in Mr Gunnarsson’s home when the volcano erupted. Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.
Tom Watling17 November 2023 03:00
Iceland residents describe ‘apocalyptic’ scenes as they flee volcano threat
Residents from a small Icelandic town under threat from volcanic eruption have described ‘apocalyptic’ existence as they fear for their future.
Last Friday, thousands of Grindavik residents were ordered to leave as the town was rocked by hundreds of earthquakes. The small fishing town is 34 miles from Reykjavík and is home to the famous tourist attraction the Blue Lagoon.
Many have been unable to return to the ‘danger zone’ to collect their belongings, as earthquakes continue to strike the town.
Grindavik resident Andrea Ævarsdóttir, 46, told The Independent: “Everything just seems so unreal, I feel like I’m in a dystopian movie. I’m just waiting to wake up from this nightmare.”
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar17 November 2023 02:55
Iceland earthquakes: Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town
Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks.
“All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden,” the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.
Huge cracks appear on roads in Iceland’s volcano-threatened town
Roads have begun to crack and buildings buckle under the pressure of underground magma as Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption. Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks. In the coastal town of Grindavik, where thousands of people have been evacuated, road surfaces have cracked and crumbled away. “All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden,” the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.
Tom Watling17 November 2023 02:00
Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?
Given the volcanic situation in Iceland, is it going to be another 2010 in aviation?
Simon Calder answers your questions on aviation, the land of ice and fire, and birthday in Albania.
Tom Watling17 November 2023 01:00
Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption?
Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.
On Sunday 12 November, all scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester landed without incident.
Tom Watling17 November 2023 00:00
Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last 10 years as Iceland town faces devastation
It comes as the country has been shaken by more than 880 small earthquakes, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.
Tom Watling16 November 2023 23:00
‘It’s like a dystopian movie’: Iceland residents describe ‘apocalyptic’ scenes as they flee volcano threat
Residents from a small Icelandic town under threat from volcanic eruption have described ‘apocalyptic’ existence as they fear for their future.
Last Friday, thousands of Grindavik residents were ordered to leave as the town was rocked by hundreds of earthquakes. The small fishing town is 34 miles from Reykjavík and is home to the famous tourist attraction the Blue Lagoon.
Tom Watling16 November 2023 22:00
Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last 10 years as Iceland town faces devastation
It comes as the country has been shaken by more than 880 small earthquakes, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.
Tom Watling16 November 2023 20:30
Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?
Simon Calder answers your questions on aviation, the land of ice and fire, and birthday in Albania.
Tom Watling16 November 2023 19:30
Grindavik facing electricity outages
The Icelandic town of Grindavik is facing electricity outages, according to the country’s civil defence authority.
“HS Orka‘s electrical distribution equipment in Grindavik is damaged in several places due to constant earthquakes and ground deformation.
“It is unclear if, and when, electricity will be back on in the area. An announcement via text message has been sent to users known to be affected by the power outages,” it said.
Alexander Butler16 November 2023 18:30
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