A huge crack in the road has formed in Iceland due to earthquakes: the threat of a volcanic eruption is growing
A huge crack has formed in the middle of a road in the central part of the town of Grindavik, Iceland, due to earthquakes. The ground on the Reykjanes Peninsula is literally spreading, and steam is coming out of it.
According to local authorities, the cracks have already caused some displacement of buildings and roads. Residents of the evacuated city are not allowed to return due to the threat of a volcanic eruption, Fox 29 reports.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that about 700 earthquakes have been recorded in the region over the past few days, the largest of which had a magnitude of 3.1 in Hagafell.
Fissures in the ground indicate that the potential for an eruption of the volcano, which was last active several years ago, is getting higher.
Experts expect a possible release of ash and magma in the near future. New data suggests that if the volcano does erupt in the Grindavik area, it will be good news for international air travel, as the toxic ash and smoke will not rise as high.
However, local critical infrastructure is still at risk of damage from a possible lava flow.
To avoid this, the services are building protective structures that will surround important infrastructure, such as the geothermal power plant in Svartsengi.
The IMO reported that between November 12 and 13, the magma flow was measured at about 75 cubic meters per second and the depth was about half a mile, indicating a high probability of an eruption.
