In Iceland, they are awaiting a possible major volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula after about 24,000 earthquakes were recorded in the region since the end of October.
Nearly 3,000 of them were registered in the past 48 hours, according to Bloomberg News. Iceland Meteorological Office.
Norwegian exchange student Paula Spjelkavik (25) in Reykjavik tells NRK she felt many of them on her body.
– It’s a crazy experience to wake up to an earthquake.
Spjelkavek was first awakened by the earthquake at 02:00 on Saturday night.
– Shortly after that, another earthquake occurred, shaking the entire apartment, says the 25-year-old.
Paula Spjelkavec talks about the tense atmosphere in Reykjavik.
Photo: Private/Private
Geologist Borg Johannes Wiggum lives in Iceland. He described the situation to NRK as “very tragic”.
He points out that if the thermal power station, which provides heating for about 30,000 people, breaks down, it will not be possible to repair it within a few weeks.
– Whigham says there is a risk of serious damage to important infrastructure.
On Saturday evening, the Iceland Meteorological Office wrote that an eruption was possible has increased.
Local residents are feeling nervous
Spjílkavik lives in the Icelandic capital, about 50 kilometers from Grindavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula, where residents were evacuated.
– Today we saw a lot of news about what is happening in Grindavik. This is what everyone is talking about and watching.
The 25-year-old says that many exchange students primarily find earthquakes and volcanic eruptions exciting.
She believes that Icelanders are more nervous, and says that many fear damage to the thermal power plant mentioned above.
In May 2021, a volcanic eruption near Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes Peninsula was clearly visible from the capital, Reykjavik.
Photograph: Halldor Kolbens/AFP
– Many also fear that Keflavik Airport, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, will be damaged, says the student, adding:
– Maybe the Blue Lagoon isn’t a big concern. But she would have been sick if it had been destroyed. It’s an iconic place.
Icelandic authorities chose to close the tourist attraction. The Icelandic Civil Defense also did this Raising the level of preparedness.
According to Spjelkavik, life continues as usual in Reykjavik. But this is not the case everywhere.
When Icelandic television interviewed the mayor of Grindavik, a sudden earthquake occurred.
Cracks can open within city limits
In Grindavik, the population of 2,500 people was evacuated.
During a press conference on Saturday, Civil Defense Director Feder Rennison said that one must prepare for the evacuation process that will last several days.
Many buildings in the area are said to have suffered severe damage after numerous earthquakes.
A state of emergency was declared and roadblocks were set up.
Seismic activity is expressed in Grindavik.
Photo: SUV
Spjelkavik’s colleague comes from Grindavik. They talked about a possible eviction last week.
-She has already moved in with a friend of hers in Reykjavik. She didn’t want to risk living in Grindavik if something big happened.
National broadcaster RÚV wrote that seismic data indicate that a magma tunnel has extended under Grindavík.
The possibility of opening a volcanic fissure within the city limits is not ruled out.
The big question is when that will happen. Scientists have warned of the possibility of an explosive volcanic eruption soon.
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