Icelandic authorities issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that the region is at a “high” risk of a volcanic eruption due to hundreds of tremors in the area.
In response to the threat of a volcanic eruption, Icelandic officials have deployed a large bulldozer to the affected area to prevent potential lava flows from damaging crucial buildings.
According to reports from Sky News, the police are currently accompanying a Caterpillar D11 bulldozer to the Grindavik area, where it will be used to dig trenches spanning three miles in length.
The settlement of Grindavik, located in southwest Iceland, has been evacuated as a precautionary measure due to the heightened volcanic activity.
Since midnight the previous day, the Icelandic Meteorological Office has recorded approximately 800 earthquakes, most of which have been centered in the magma dyke near Sundhnk at depths ranging from 1.8 to 3.1 miles.
In recent days, videos and photos have emerged showing smoke emanating from cracks in Grindavik’s roadways.
Although the seismic activity has remained stable since November 11th, the Icelandic Meteorological Office continues to closely monitor the situation in the vicinity of the dyke and Grindavik.
The office has assessed that the likelihood of an eruption remains high, and if an eruption were to occur, it is most likely to take place near the magma dyke.
As a precautionary measure, the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa will remain closed until November 30th due to the volcanic risk.
This situation follows a series of tremors detected in recent days and alarming predictions of an imminent eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano.
Despite a reduction in the extent and intensity of the activity, the volcanic hazard assessment remains unchanged, prompting the country to declare a state of emergency.
Residents of the fishing village were allowed temporary access to their homes to collect essential items and valuables, resulting in long lines that stretched for kilometers. The community, with approximately 4,000 inhabitants, has already experienced significant damage, including the emergence of large fissures in the earth.
Iceland is known as a global epicenter for seismic and volcanic activity due to its location between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, which move in opposing directions.
