INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Icelandic authorities said on Saturday they were preparing for a volcanic eruption in the south-west of the island in the coming days after
a series of earthquakes and evidence of magma spreading rapidly underground.The Icelandic Meteorological Office said there was a
town of around 3,000 residents.The Reykjanes region has seen several eruptions in unpopulated areas in recent years
The latest is expected to begin on the seabed just south-west of Grindavik, the meteorological office said.A tunnel of magma, or molten
rock, that extends north-east across Grindavik and some 10km further inland, was estimated late on Saturday at a depth of less than 800
metres, compared with 1,500m earlier in the day, the office said.On Thursday, increased seismic activity prompted the closure of the Blue
Fagradalsfjall volcanic system.Volcanic activity in the area continued for six months that year, prompting thousands of Icelanders and
tourists to visit the scene
In August 2022, a three-week eruption happened in the same area, followed by another in July of this year.The Fagradalsfjall system, which
is around 6km wide and 19km long, had remained inactive for more than 6,000 years prior to the recent eruptions.Source: Reuters--Agencies
