The town of Grindavik, with a population of around 4,000, was evacuated in the early hours of November 11 (local time) after magma movement beneath the Earth's crust triggered hundreds of earthquakes believed to be a harbinger of a volcanic eruption, according to AFP.
The town of Grindavik is located near the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, which provides electricity and water to 30,000 residents on the Reykjanes peninsula. This peninsula is a volcanic and seismic hotspot southwest of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. In March 2021, lava flows erupted from a 500-750 meter long underground fissure in the region's Fagradalsfjall volcanic system, according to Reuters.
The red light from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano in 2021
"We are genuinely concerned about all the homes and infrastructure in the area," Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland's Emergency Management and Civil Protection Agency, told AFP. Reynisson added: "The lava is currently at a very shallow depth, so we expect an eruption to occur within the next few hours or days."
The most likely scenario is a fissure appearing on the ground near the town of Grindavik. "We've detected a fissure about 15 kilometers long, and anywhere along that fissure we can see a potential eruption," Reynisson said. However, he did not rule out the possibility of an underwater eruption, which could produce a large ash cloud.
Earthquakes and ground-lifting forces caused by magma intrusions have damaged many roads and buildings in Grindavik and the surrounding area.
Iceland, home to 33 active volcanic systems, declared a state of emergency and ordered a mandatory evacuation of residents in the town of Grindavik early on November 11. Emergency shelters and support centers were also opened in several nearby towns, but most Grindavik residents were staying with friends or relatives, according to AFP.
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