Magma on Iceland is approaching the Earth's surface
The magma on the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes, which is threatened by a volcanic eruption, has continued to work its way to the earth's surface. The liquid rock is probably still at a depth of around 500 meters, said Benedikt Ófeigsson from the Icelandic weather service on Wednesday, as reported by the RUV radio station. An increasing sulphur dioxide content in the air also points to the development.
The police allowed other residents to return to the evacuated town of Grindavík for a short time to take their belongings with them. Only people who had not managed to get into the town during similar operations on Monday and Tuesday and were now contacted personally by the police were allowed to return.
Grindavík is located around 40 kilometers southwest of the capital Reykjavik and has been threatened by a possible volcanic eruption for days. The approximately 3,700 inhabitants had to leave their homes on Saturday night because a magma tunnel about 15 kilometers long runs under Grindavík to below the seabed. The nearby Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland's most famous tourist attractions, had already been closed earlier.
The weather service registered more than 800 earthquakes from midnight to midday on Wednesday. This was not a significant change compared to the previous day, Ófeigsson explained. However, the earth tremors were much weaker than on Friday. Part of the magma tunnel appears to be solidifying, especially at the edges. However, further magma is flowing in. The probability of an eruption is still high.
- Despite the potential danger from volcanic activity in Reykjanes, some tourists might still be eager to visit the nearby Blue Lagoon for relaxation during their leisure time.
- Should a volcanic eruption occur in Grindavík, it could significantly impact tourism in the region, affecting the country's earnings derived from this important sector.
- Those interested in natural phenomenon might find the proximity of leisure activities, such as sightseeing and hiking, and the potential for witnessing a volcanic eruption in Reykjanes, an intriguing opportunity for travel.
Source: www.dpa.com
