A volcanic eruption under the Reykja­nes Peninsula rema­ins a likely outcome as seismic activity continues. A 15 kilometer magma intrusion has for­med under a res­idential area.

Since midnight, 900 earthquakes have been detected in the area. Seismic activity has remained stable, according to a stat­ment rel­e­a­sed by the Icelandic Met Office today. Magma continues to flow under the surface and the largest concentration seems to be near Sund­hnúkur, just north of the town of Grinda­vík. Sund­hnúkur is a row of craters for­med during a previous eruption in the area, from before settlers arri­ved in Iceland.

In the last few days, earthquakes and the threat of a volcanic eruption have had a major impact on the peninsula, home to around 30,000 people, a num­ber of tourist attractions and Keflavík international air­port. On Friday, aut­horities declared a national state of emergency. Since then, Grinda­vík has been completely evacuated, scattering over 3,000 res­idents to homes of family mem­bers and rescue centers.

Popular tourist destination, the Blue Lagoon, has been closed due to its location near the magma intrusion, while neighbouring Svarts­engi geothermal plant also rema­ins at risk.

State of emergencyAut­horities declared a state of emergency Friday and evacuated Grinda­vík in the early hours of Saturday.

Mynd: Gollli

An assess­ment from aut­horities, compiled and made public on Saturday, indicated that magma was flowing at a deep of 800 met­ers. Þor­valdur Þórð­ar­son, pro­fessor of volcanology at the Uni­versity of Iceland, has argued that magma may alr­eady be even closer to the surface and that, in all likelihood, an eruption is imminent. There is still a chance that an eruption happ­ens under the sea and a steam-blast eruption, which was previously thought hig­hly unlikely, rema­ins a possi­bility.

Volcanologist Ármann Hösk­ulds­son has said that Saturday's assess­ment indicates that a grave scenario could unfold in Grinda­vík. He compared the situation unfa­vora­bly to the eruption in Vest­manna­eyjar off the south coast of Iceland in 1973, which threa­tened to destroy the small town on the archipelago's largest island.

Roads and fields come apart

Res­idents from a designated area of Grinda­vík have been allowed to return to their homes, accompanied by trained respond­ers, in order to collect necessary items, including their pets, life-sav­ing medicine and pas­sports. Law enforcement agencies emphasize that this decision is not taken lightly, that it involves risk and that all return­ing res­idents must reg­ister outside of town and be escorted to their homes by respond­ers.

Grinda­vík has been hit hard by the earthquakes since activity started. Roads and sidewalks have been torn apart and a deep chasm app­eared in a nearby golf course. Res­idents have attempted to rescue livestock, such as hor­ses and sheep in fields and barns, but have been constrained by orders from the aut­horities. "I find it upsett­ing that the aut­horities allow res­idents to return for inani­mate objects, but don't consider the welfare of animals," said local Arnar Kárason. He was a part of a group that rescued all 22 of the town's hor­ses, who had been left behind when the town was first evacuated in the early hours of Saturday morn­ing.

Roads come apartGrinda­vík's infrastructure has faced damage from seismic activity.

Mynd: Vega­gerðin

Many roads on the Reykja­nes Peninsula have been closed for traffic. Keflavík international air­port rema­ins in full operation and traffic to and from Reykja­vík is unaffected.

Infrastructure defense bill debated

Prime Minister Katrín Jak­obs­dóttir has submitted a bill on the construction of defense structures to protect infrastructure in the area. The bill is the only issue on today's agenda of Alþingi, the national parli­ament. Ms Jak­obs­dóttir has stated that she expects unanimity on rati­fy­ing the bill.

Since March 2021, three eruptions have taken place on the peninsula around the volcano Fagra­dals­fjall. The eruptions have not affected infrastructure or populated areas. The slow-flowing lava, conversely, became a tourist attraction for hik­ing locals. Before the eruption of 2021, volcanic activity on the peninsula had remained dor­m­ant since the 12th century.