The Icelanders are closely following the seismic development on the Reykjanes peninsula, following several signs of a possible volcanic eruption. – The magma lies under the Svartsengi thermal power plant. An outbreak that affects the power plant could cut the district heating to 30,000 residents in Reykjanes. That’s what Norwegian geologist Børge Johannes Wigum, who lives in Iceland, says. The magma, which is called lava when it flows out on the surface, can also flow down towards the town of Grindavik, where 3,500 people live, warns the geologist. – Don’t think of it as a matter of days, but think of it as a matter of hours, Icelandic volcanologist Thorvaldur Thordarson said on Friday. He warns that the response time is not long regardless of where the volcano should erupt in the area. He therefore says that it is time for evacuation plans for nearby residents. The Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced thousands of earthquakes since 25 October. According to Thordarson, these earthquakes spread along known volcanic fissures, making a volcanic eruption very likely. – I think we are quite close. The land continues to rise, the volcanologist mentions, which is a sign of a possible eruption. He also notes that the magma underground appears to have risen from a depth of 4–5 kilometers to almost the surface. It indicates that an outbreak may come suddenly. Expecting an explosive start The Norwegian geologist Wigum says that there have been volcanic eruptions in the area in the past, but that they have been small and attracted tourists. – Now one expects a more explosive start and more ash formation. It won’t be like the big volcanic eruption in 2010, where international flights were cancelled, but it could cause local challenges. The area is close to Keflavik, which is Iceland’s largest airport. On Sunday morning, the Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV reports a decrease in the number of earthquakes, but that the earth continues to rise. Previously, RÚV confirmed magma near the volcanic mountain Thorbjörn at a depth of three to four kilometers. They have also reported over 10,000 earthquakes since 25 October. This is the fifth time magma intrusion has been measured in the area, but none of the previous cases led to an eruption. However, with the current seismic activity, the possibility of a volcanic eruption is considered more likely than previously. The public broadcaster writes that. April 2010 was the month when all of Europe was covered in ash. The ash from the eruptions from Eyjafjallajökull had settled in the air over large parts of Northern Europe, which paralyzed air traffic in several countries. With its around 150 volcanoes and 32 active volcanic systems, Iceland is no stranger to volcanic eruptions. This summer, a minor eruption erupted on the Reykjanes peninsula after thousands of small earthquakes. In 2010, the violent Eyjafjallajökull eruption stopped around 100,000 flights across northern Europe.
ttn-69
Iceland on the brink of volcanic eruption – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
