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Close-up of lava-spewing volcano prompting Iceland to raise alert to highest level

TB (summary) January 14, 2024 20:57

A volcano in southwestern Iceland has erupted, putting the town of Grindavik at risk.

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Image of lava flow threatening the fishing town of Grindavik in Iceland on January 14

British news agency Reuters cited information published by local media saying the eruption began north of the fishing town of Grindavik on January 14.

To assess the situation and the exact location, according to the Icelandic Civil Protection Agency, a coast guard helicopter was dispatched.

Later that day, the agency raised the alert level to "emergency," the highest on a three-tier scale that signals an event has begun that could cause harm to people, communities, property or the environment.

Fortunately, the day before, on January 13, residents of the town of Grindavik, who had just returned from the December 2023 eruption, were ordered to evacuate in anticipation of the fifth volcanic eruption on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021.

According to The Guardian, Iceland lies at the junction of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, two of the largest on Earth. These two plates move in opposite directions, making Iceland a seismic and volcanic hotspot.

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Close-up of lava-spewing volcano prompting Iceland to raise alert to highest level