Iceland is currently under a state of emergency due to the possible threat of a volcano eruption on Reykjanes Peninsula. Known as volcano Fagradalsfjall, the National Guard declared a state of emergency after the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) announced the current risk it poses.
Residents of Grindavík, a southwestern town of Iceland, were evacuated as a safety precaution because “it cannot be ruled out that the magma tunnel that is forming could reach [the city].” Though it wasn’t an emergency evacuation, and authorities assure “There is no immediate danger imminent,” all routes to Grindavík have been shut down, except in case of emergencies.
“We have a fissure that’s about 15 kilometres long, and anywhere on that fissure we can see that an eruption could happen,” said Vidir Reynisson, the head of Iceland’s Civil Protection and Emergency Management agency.
The famous Blue Lagoon has even been temporarily closed because of the seismic activity.
Vallaskóli in Selfoss, the Sports Center at Sunnubraut in Reykjanesbær and in Kórn in Kópavogur are currently serving as aid stations.
Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted back in March 2021, following 6,000 years of dormancy on the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system on the Reykjanes Volcanic Zone.
You might not believe it but actually 50-60 volcano eruptions occur each year, according to The United States Geological Survey. Iceland alone currently has 30+ active volcano sites.