Iceland Volcano LIVE: Nordic country braces for huge eruption that could repeat 2010 flight chaos as its Met Office warns peninsula faces 'decades' of instability

11 months ago 59

By Chris Jewers

Published: 08:40 GMT, 17 November 2023 | Updated: 08:57 GMT, 17 November 2023

Icelandic peninsula faces 'decades' of instability, country's Met Office warns

Iceland's south-west peninsula could see decades of instability, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) has warned.

Earthquakes and growing fears of a huge impending eruption mark the start of a new 'eruptive cycle', the IMO's Matthew Roberts told the BBC.

Eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula began again in 2021 after an 800-year hiatus, and thousands of people have now been evacuated.

'We expect to see volcanic eruptions along the peninsula, not just repeatedly in the same location,' Dr Roberts told the British broadcaster.

Instability could last decades, he added.

His team made the shocking realisation last Friday that magma was coursing into the ground and fracturing rock over a nine-mile distance.

The expert said the magma cut through the ground beneath Grindavik 'almost like an underground freight train.' Images have since shown fissures appearing in the ground, and further damage to buildings and roads is expected.

Western parts of Grindavik have also sunk into the ground.

An aerial view of the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated due to volcanic activity, in Iceland, November 15, 2023. Icelandic Coast Guard/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT

Iceland Volcano LIVE: What you need to know on November 17

Good morning and welcome to MailOnline's live coverage of the impending volcanic eruption in Iceland. Here's what you need to know today:

The Nordic country continues to brace itself for a potentially massive eruption that some fear could see a repeat of the flight chaos of 2010.
Iceland has declared a state of emergency and had evacuated 4,000 residents from the town of Grindavik, on the south-west coast.
The town, which sits between Iceland's capital Reykjavik and its international airport, is located near the Fagradalsfjall volcano.
Scientists have warned molten magma has been building up three miles underneath Grindavik, and could be rising to 800 meters beneath the surface.
Recent days have seen hundreds of earthquakes and fissures opening in the ground. Experts warn an eruption could take place in days or even hours.

A police officer stands by the crack in a road in the fishing town of Grindavik, which was evacuated due to volcanic activity, in Iceland November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Marko Djurica