Iceland has declared a state of emergency after the number of earthquakes in southeast Iceland increased sharply.
– The earthquakes may be larger than those we have seen so far and this chain of events may lead to a volcanic eruption, says the statement from the Icelandic authorities.
The community of Grindavik in southeast Iceland, roughly 40 kilometers from the capital Reykjavik, has experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2, according to the preliminary measurement.
The quake was also felt in Reykjavik. Since 15:00 on Friday, the seismic activity has increased significantly.
Iceland’s Meteorological Institute (IMO) has stated that magma has accumulated about five kilometers underground and should it begin to press towards the surface, it could lead to a volcanic eruption.
– The most likely scenario is that it will take several days, rather than hours, before magma reaches the ground surface, says Benedikt Ófeigsson at IMO.
Residents leave Grindavik
Late on Friday evening, the same institute reports that magma has formed a tunnel up to the surface, writes Icelandic Rúv.
A state of emergency has been issued to warn local residents and prepare for a volcanic eruption north of Grindavik. According to an assessment by the Icelandic authorities, the lava will not flow towards Grindavik, with 4,000 inhabitants, but towards Sundhnúki.
Despite that, many in Grindavik have chosen to leave society. The road to Reykjavik is closed due to the earthquakes, but it should still be possible to go east and west along the coast.