A few days after the volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, residents of the small town of Grindavík can return to their homes during the day. But it is not considered safe to stay there overnight, police said.
After the police initially banned people from staying in the evacuated town with 4,000 inhabitants, they were allowed to return from Thursday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. due to a changed risk assessment.
Violent volcanic eruption Monday
In the morning hours, the first cars drove back into the city, reports the Icelandic radio station RÚV. According to the police, children are not allowed to be brought along. Late Monday night, a violent volcanic eruption occurred near Grindavík – the fourth in three years.
Initially, glowing red lava bubbled from a mile-long fissure in the Earth, but the eruption has since diminished in intensity. It is still unclear how long it will take. No eruption activity was initially visible on Thursday, but it was too early to declare the eruption over, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said in the morning.
The weather bureau said in an update on Wednesday evening that the chance of another eruption without warning near Grindavík had decreased. The authority has therefore published a new risk assessment card, which is initially valid until December 28.
A significant danger remains
The danger in the area around Grindavík is still significant, authorities said. The intensity of the outbreak remains significant despite reduced activity. It has also been shown that magma can reach the Earth’s surface quickly, leaving little time for warnings.
Meanwhile, the Icelandic capital Reykjavik was looking for ways to house the residents of Grindavík for a longer period of time. Dozens of apartments have been purchased for this purpose, the broadcaster RÚV reports. It is clear that there is great uncertainty about life in Grindavík, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir said at a press conference.
Thousands of people were evacuated in November
Grindavik is located about 40 kilometers southwest of Reykjavik. The residents had to leave their homes more than a month ago because a 15-kilometer-long magma tunnel runs under the city to the seabed.
Source: Krone
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