Residents of Grindavik and travelers are fleeing as lava erupts from a fissure near the town, which has seen significant seismic activity. Iceland's southeast region is on high alert as multiple quakes have rocked the area following the eruption, which began early yesterday.
The volcano, located near the famous Blue Lagoon spa and the fishing town Grindavik, opened a fissure stretching over 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) long, raising alarm among residents. There were reports of numerous earthquakes throughout the day, prompting widespread fear for the local population.
Grindavik resident Asrun Kristinsdottir recounted her experience to BBC, sharing how emergency sirens compelled her to evacuate. Living under the constant shadow of a volcano for years, she was always ready to leave, but this event felt particularly threatening due to the relentless tremors.
Local authorities confirmed that the protective barriers surrounding the town had been compromised by the latest eruption, leaving some residents reluctant to evacuate. The regional police commissioner, Ulfar Ludviksson, stated that while some residents chose to stay, most had evacuated without hesitation.
Thormar Omarrson, a long-time resident and restaurant owner, described his heartbreaking decision to relocate after warnings about increased volcanic risk. He expressed concerns for his friends who remained behind, highlighting the emotional burden of leaving one's home.
In 2023, a mass evacuation occurred for over 4,000 residents of Grindavik, a precaution due to similar volcanic threats in the region. With the eruption beginning around 09:45 local time, the Icelandic Meteorological Office warned of gas pollution traveling towards the capital as winds shift.
Iceland sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and hosts 33 active volcano systems, with the recent activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula being notably unprecedented since the last eruptions over 800 years ago.
The volcano, located near the famous Blue Lagoon spa and the fishing town Grindavik, opened a fissure stretching over 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) long, raising alarm among residents. There were reports of numerous earthquakes throughout the day, prompting widespread fear for the local population.
Grindavik resident Asrun Kristinsdottir recounted her experience to BBC, sharing how emergency sirens compelled her to evacuate. Living under the constant shadow of a volcano for years, she was always ready to leave, but this event felt particularly threatening due to the relentless tremors.
Local authorities confirmed that the protective barriers surrounding the town had been compromised by the latest eruption, leaving some residents reluctant to evacuate. The regional police commissioner, Ulfar Ludviksson, stated that while some residents chose to stay, most had evacuated without hesitation.
Thormar Omarrson, a long-time resident and restaurant owner, described his heartbreaking decision to relocate after warnings about increased volcanic risk. He expressed concerns for his friends who remained behind, highlighting the emotional burden of leaving one's home.
In 2023, a mass evacuation occurred for over 4,000 residents of Grindavik, a precaution due to similar volcanic threats in the region. With the eruption beginning around 09:45 local time, the Icelandic Meteorological Office warned of gas pollution traveling towards the capital as winds shift.
Iceland sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and hosts 33 active volcano systems, with the recent activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula being notably unprecedented since the last eruptions over 800 years ago.
