Lava activity in the vicinity of the idyllic coastal town of Grindavik has calmed down in recent days. – It is a big surprise that the lava activity has stopped, said seismologist Kristin Jonsdottir on Friday. First Christmas away from Grindavik On Christmas Eve, the Icelandic authorities sent out a message that those whose homes were not affected by the earthquakes in November can sleep at home for the first time. Kristin Maria Birgisdottir and her son Thordur wrap Christmas presents this first Christmas away from Grindavik. Photo: MARKO DJURICA / Reuters In a rented apartment in the capital Reykjavík sits a family who would more than like to move back to their hometown for Christmas. Unfortunately, their home has not been approved for continued living. – I don’t quite know what I’m feeling right now because this is the very first time since I was born that I’m spending Christmas away from Grindavik, says 43-year-old Kristin Maria Birgisdottir. – My parents will never be able to live in Grindavik again. In the corner of the sofa in the rented apartment, she sits with one of the three children and her parents. She tells the Reuters news agency that her parents are devastated because their home is completely destroyed after the earthquakes that hit in the first week of November. – My parents are trying to deal with many difficult emotions. This applies especially to my mother because their house is almost in ruins. – They will never be able to live in Grindavik again, says daughter Kristin Maria with a tear in the corner of her eye. Trying to deal with difficult emotions. Birgir Sigurdsson and Kristin Arnberg, both 71 years old, will not be able to move home because the house has been destroyed by an earthquake in Grindavik. Photo: MARKO DJURICA / Reuters – What is happening now is about to make people break down, she continues. In the temporary apartment, the mother of three has decorated for Christmas with elves, lights and a Christmas tree. One of the sons, 9-year-old Thordur, helps wrap Christmas presents before putting them under the tree. Don’t dare to move back In Grindavik, a married couple in a white SUV visit their home. But they don’t stay long. After retrieving some belongings, they are once again ready to rush out of their hometown. They do not trust that it is safe, but fear new earthquakes and lava eruptions. – I believe that it will happen again. Maybe close to where we stand now. That’s the feeling I have, says Sigriddur Jonasdottir. – What do you think about staying here in the future? asks a reporter from Sky News. – No, I think I want to go. I never want to move back. This is the area near Grindavik on 19 December. The lava activity has calmed down after that. Photo: ICELANDIC COAST GUARD / Reuters Her husband, Orn Sigurdsson, says the uncertainty is taking its toll. He had expected more clear information about the situation. – The government should give us some answers – We cannot control nature, but the government should give us some answers. It is not good to let people live in uncertainty for seven weeks, says Sigurdsson, clearly disappointed. The woman and the man take the box of belongings to the white four-wheel drive and drive out of Grindavik. When the church bells rang for Christmas, few had moved back home to Grindavik. Many do not take the chance after the outbreaks. Photo: VIKEN KANTARCI / AFP The approximately 4,000 inhabitants there were evacuated on 10 November after many earthquakes which left cracks and openings in the earth’s crust. The lava flow has spread over an area of around 3.7 square kilometres. Scientists said Thursday they believe the eruption has subsided, but warned that pressure underground could begin to build up again. Grindavik is located around four miles from the capital Reykjavík.
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After the volcanic eruption – miss being able to celebrate Christmas in Grindavik – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
