Earthquakes have subsided up Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, something that is not unusual just before a volcanic eruption. Deadly sulfur oxide seeps into the coastal town of Grindavík – a sign that magma is near the surface.
At 15:00 on Tuesday, the residents who had gone to Grindavík to collect supplies had to quickly evacuate again after the sulfur oxide alarm.
There is still a high probability that there will be a volcanic eruption, but we still don’t know where, when or if it will happen.
Builds protective embankment
In anticipation of a volcanic eruption, Icelandic authorities are doing what they can to prevent the damaging effects. Around the Svartsengi geothermal power plant on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which provides district heating and electricity to thousands of Icelanders, a protective embankment is planned.
The power plant is located about half a mile from Grindavík, and is estimated to be located above the magma tunnel.
An eruption could happen right nearby and the authorities have decided to build a large protective dike with material equivalent to 20,000 truck loads to divert lava flows. Before it can be built, a formal decision from the government is expected, writes Reuters.