Iceland Declares a State of Emergency Ahead of Expected Volcanic Eruption

Iceland Declares a State of Emergency , Ahead of Expected Volcanic Eruption.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office has warned that a volcano in southwest Iceland is likely to erupt in the next few days.

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NPR reports that the warning comes after hundreds of small earthquakes have rattled the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent days.

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Experts say the string of earthquakes, approximately 900 since midnight on November 13, are an early warning sign that the volcano is about to erupt.

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On November 10, Iceland's Civil Protection Agency declared a state of emergency and ordered over 3,300 residents of the coastal town of Grindavik to evacuate.

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Officials have yet to say when residents will be allowed to return to their homes.

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Residents have reportedly been allowed to briefly visit several neighborhoods to retrieve some of their belongings.

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The Blue Lagoon, a nearby man-made geothermal pool, also announced that it would remain closed until November 16, "at which point the situation will be reassessed.".

The Blue Lagoon, a nearby man-made geothermal pool, also announced that it would remain closed until November 16, "at which point the situation will be reassessed.".

Iceland is home to 32 different volcanic systems. .

In July, a volcano in the Litli-Hrútur mountain range became the latest eruption in Iceland.

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NPR reports that before 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula had not experienced an eruption in over 800 years.

On November 12, the Icelandic Meteorological Society said fire would soon break through the surface and mercury would likely begin to leak into the ocean.

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On November 12, the Icelandic Meteorological Society said fire would soon break through the surface and mercury would likely begin to leak into the ocean.