Reyakik [Iceland], November 12: The town of Grindavik , with about 4,000 people, was evacuated in the early hours of November 11 (local time), after magma shifting under the earth's crust caused hundreds of earthquakes that are believed to be a precursor to a new disaster. volcanic eruption , according to AFP.
The town of Grindavik is located near the Svartsengi geothermal plant, which provides mains electricity and water to 30,000 residents on the Reykjanes peninsula. The peninsula is a volcanic and seismic hotspot southwest of Iceland's capital Reykjavik. In March 2021, lava flows erupted from an underground crack 500-750 meters long in the area's Fagradalsfjall volcanic system, according to Reuters.
"We are really concerned about all the houses and infrastructure in the area," VidirReynisson, head of Iceland's Emergency Management and Civil Protection Agency, told AFP. Mr Reynisson added: "The lava is currently at a very shallow depth, so we expect an eruption within a few hours or in the next few days."
The most likely scenario is that a crack appears in the ground near the town of Grindavik. "We discovered there is a crack about 15 kilometers long and anywhere on that crack we can see a possible eruption," Mr. Reynisson said. However, he did not rule out the possibility of an undersea eruption, potentially causing a large ash cloud .
The earthquakes and ground uplift caused by the magma intrusion caused damage to many roads and many buildings in Grindavik and the surrounding area.
Iceland, which has 33 active volcanic systems, declared a state of emergency and ordered mandatory evacuation for people in the town of Grindavik early on the morning of November 11. In addition, emergency shelters and support centers have been opened in several nearby towns, but most Grindavik residents are staying with friends or relatives, according to AFP.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
