Iceland Declares a State of Emergency , Ahead of Expected Volcanic Eruption.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has
warned that a volcano in southwest Iceland
is likely to erupt in the next few days. .
NPR reports that the warning comes after
hundreds of small earthquakes have rattled
the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent days. .
Experts say the string of earthquakes, approximately
900 since midnight on November 13, are an early
warning sign that the volcano is about to erupt. .
On November 10, Iceland's Civil Protection Agency
declared a state of emergency and ordered over 3,300
residents of the coastal town of Grindavik to evacuate. .
Officials have yet to say when residents
will be allowed to return to their homes. .
Residents have reportedly been allowed
to briefly visit several neighborhoods
to retrieve some of their belongings. .
The Blue Lagoon, a nearby man-made
geothermal pool, also announced that it
would remain closed until November 16, "at which point the situation will be reassessed.".
The Blue Lagoon, a nearby man-made
geothermal pool, also announced that it
would remain closed until November 16, "at which point the situation will be reassessed.".
Iceland is home to 32 different volcanic systems. .
In July, a volcano in the Litli-Hrútur
mountain range became
the latest eruption in Iceland. .
NPR reports that before 2021,
the Reykjanes Peninsula had not
experienced an eruption in over 800 years.
On November 12, the Icelandic Meteorological Society
said fire would soon break through the surface and
mercury would likely begin to leak into the ocean. .
On November 12, the Icelandic Meteorological Society
said fire would soon break through the surface and
mercury would likely begin to leak into the ocean.
