Due to feared volcanic eruption: Icelandic city evacuated. EU soil group Latvia offers legal protection for same-sex couples

Due to the ongoing series of major earthquakes in Iceland, authorities on the North Atlantic island are warning of even stronger earthquakes and a possible impending volcanic eruption. The tremors near the town of Grindavík could become even more intense and eventually lead to an eruption, Icelandic police said on Friday evening. The city was evacuated as a precaution. It is further checked whether the magma is approaching the Earth’s surface.

Due to the earthquake swarm north of Grindavík, the police have declared a dangerous situation (hættustig). This warning system means that authorities are seeing increasing danger and that measures are being taken to ensure the safety of people in the area.

The Icelandic meteorological agency Vedurstofa reported in the evening that the signs currently observed were similar to those on the eve of the first eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano in 2021 and were very similar to the seismic activity a month before this eruption. The most likely scenario is that it will take several days instead of hours for the magma to reach the Earth’s surface.

The new swarm of earthquakes on the Reykjanes Peninsula southwest of Reykjavik started almost two and a half weeks ago. There have been thousands of quakes since then, but they increased in strength and frequency again on Friday afternoon. According to weather agency data, several of them had magnitudes above 4.0; one even had a magnitude of around 5.2.

Volcanic eruptions have already occurred on the peninsula in 2021, 2022 and this summer. Each was heralded by a longer series of earthquakes. In all three eruptions there was no danger to populated areas.

This time, however, the region’s Svartsengi geothermal power plant and its employees were viewed with concern. The nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal pool, one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions, was temporarily closed due to the series of earthquakes. An evacuation plan was drawn up for Grindavík, a few kilometers further south. However, a model provided by authorities on Friday did not indicate that lava would flow towards Grindavík in the event of an eruption. (saw/sda/dpa)