The island state of Iceland cannot calm down: just a few weeks after the volcanic eruption near Reykjavik, the next fire mountain is already threatening to awaken (see video above). The Grimsvötn glacial volcano was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 on the Richter scale on Thursday.
According to reports, the earthquake occurred in the morning, about 200 kilometers east of the capital Reykjavik. Although the magnitude was “only” 4.3, it was the strongest earthquake since monitoring of the volcano began. Grimsvötn erupts on average every ten years, most recently in 2011. Experts fear this could now happen again.
After the big earthquake, swarm earthquakes occurred, which probably caused a so-called glacier run. This causes large amounts of meltwater to reach the valley, which can cause devastating flood waves. On the way to the sea they take everything in their path with them.
Grimsvötn has two large craters, one of which has a diameter of ten kilometers, and there are other smaller craters. For example, an eruption can cause an ash cloud and glacial flow can cause destruction.
Construction workers disappeared into the crevasse
The volcano south of Reykjavik, which erupted in December, could also erupt again soon. The ground rose and a volcanic rift opened. Media reported that a construction worker in the town of Grindavik fell into a deep crack in the earth and has since disappeared without a trace. He was filling a crack in the floor of a family home. After the incident, a search operation was launched and two rescue teams were lowered into the hole. From Thursday, January 11, a search was underway for the missing construction worker. The water at the bottom must be deep.
A new eruption near Reykjavik would likely occur at the height of the magma rift and would therefore not endanger the fishing village of Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon thermal baths in neighboring Svartsengi. Volcanic activity is also currently recorded in the Askja Caldera in northern Iceland. The ground has risen there too.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
