Magma underground near the Icelandic coastal community of Grindavik has begun to move.
Six days before Christmas Eve, the area was hit by a volcanic eruption – and now the risk is once again heightened.
– What we see at the moment is that there is a collection of magma again in the same area that was active before the eruption, says Rikke Pedersen, volcanologist at the Nordic Volcanological Center, to DR.
According to Rikke Pedersen, it can go “either way” as it looks now.
“Worrying”
Authorities have urged the residents of Grindavik to leave the city over the New Year, reports RUV. However, there is no decision on evacuation.
On the road to Grindavik, several new cracks have appeared, testifying to the increased activity.
– Before the last outbreak, you were given 90 minutes notice. What happens when you have repeated eruptions in the same area is that the boundary conditions change. We cannot expect to get 90 minutes next time, but may have to expect less time. It is of course worrying, says Rikke Pedersen.