https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/10/iceland-declares-state-of-emergency-over-volcanic-eruption-threat [p] Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to navigation Print subscriptions Sign in Search jobs Search US edition[ ] * US edition * UK edition * Australia edition * International edition * Europe edition The Guardian - Back to homeThe Guardian [ ] * News * Opinion * Sport * Culture * Lifestyle ShowMoreShow More * [ ]News + View all News + US news + World news + Environment + US politics + Ukraine + Soccer + Business + Tech + Science + Newsletters + Wellness * [ ]Opinion + View all Opinion + The Guardian view + Columnists + Letters + Opinion videos + Cartoons * [ ]Sport + View all Sport + Soccer + NFL + Tennis + MLB + MLS + NBA + NHL + F1 + Golf * [ ]Culture + View all Culture + Film + Books + Music + Art & design + TV & radio + Stage + Classical + Games * [ ]Lifestyle + View all Lifestyle + Wellness + Fashion + Food + Recipes + Love & sex + Home & garden + Health & fitness + Family + Travel + Money * Search input [ ] google-search Search + Support us + Print subscriptions * [ ]US edition + UK edition + Australia edition + International edition + Europe edition * + Search jobs + Digital Archive + Guardian Puzzles app + Guardian Licensing + The Guardian app + Video + Podcasts + Pictures + Inside the Guardian + Guardian Weekly + Crosswords + Wordiply + Corrections * + Facebook + Twitter * + Search jobs + Digital Archive + Guardian Puzzles app + Guardian Licensing * World * Europe * US * Americas * Asia * Australia * Middle East * Africa * Inequality * Global development The red shimmer from magma coming out from the erupting volcano behind the tourist landmark the Blue Lagoon, near the town of Grindavik. [ ] The red shimmer from magma from the volcano is visible behind the famous Blue Lagoon, near the town of Grindavik. Photograph: Halldor Kolbeins/AFP/Getty Images The red shimmer from magma from the volcano is visible behind the famous Blue Lagoon, near the town of Grindavik. Photograph: Halldor Kolbeins/AFP/Getty Images Iceland Iceland declares state of emergency over volcanic eruption threat Powerful earthquakes rock country's southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, increasing likelihood of event AFP in Reykjavik Fri 10 Nov 2023 16.21 ESTLast modified on Fri 10 Nov 2023 17.23 EST * * * Icelandic authorities have declared a state of emergency after a series of powerful earthquakes rocked the country's southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, signalling the increased likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the region. "The National police chief ... declares a state of emergency for civil defence due to the intense earthquake (activity) at Sundhnjukagigar, north of Grindavik," the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management said in a statement. "Earthquakes can become larger than those that have occurred and this series of events could lead to an eruption," the administration warned. Geothermal spa closes in Iceland as guests flee after series of earthquakes Read more The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) said an eruption could take place "in several days". The village of Grindavik, home to about 4,000 people, is located 1.86 miles (3km) south-west of the area where Friday's earthquake swarm was registered. It has evacuation plans in place in case of an eruption. At about 5.30pm GMT, two strong earthquakes were felt as far as the capital, Reykjavik, 40km away, and along much of the country's southern coast, causing windows and household objects to shake. The biggest tremor, north of Grindavik, had a magnitude of 5.2, according to preliminary IMO figures. Police closed a road running north-south to Grindavik on Friday after it was damaged by the earthquakes. Since late October, 24,000 tremors have been registered on the peninsula, according to the IMO, with "a dense swarm" of nearly 800 quakes registered between midnight and 2pm GMT on Friday. The IMO noted an accumulation of magma underground at a depth of about 3.1 miles (5km). Should it start moving towards the surface it could lead to a volcanic eruption. "The most likely scenario is that it will take several days rather than hours for magma to reach the surface," it said. "If a fissure were to appear where the seismic activity is at its highest now, lava would flow to the south-east and to the west, but not towards Grindavik." Since 2021, three eruptions have taken place on the Reykjanes peninsula, in March 2021, August 2022 and July 2023. Those three were located far from any infrastructure or populated areas. On Thursday, the Blue Lagoon, located near Grindavik and famed for its geothermal spas and luxury hotels, closed as a precaution after another earthquake swarm. Also nearby is the Svartsengi geothermal plant, the main supplier of electricity and water to 30,000 residents on the Reykjanes peninsula. It has contingency plans in place to protect the plant and its workers in the event of an eruption. Iceland has 33 active volcanic systems, the highest number in Europe. Explore more on these topics * Iceland * Europe * Earthquakes * news * * * * * * Reuse this content More on this story More on this story * [6000] Icelandic surfers fear port development will ruin 'perfect point break' 2 Nov 2023 * [1540] Swarm of earthquakes in Iceland heralds next volcanic eruption 27 Oct 2023 * [2048] Iceland PM joins crowd of 100,000 for full-day women's strike 24 Oct 2023 * [1597] 'Power of the masses': the day Iceland's women went on strike and changed history 24 Oct 2023 * [6000] Whales take up to two hours to die after being harpooned, Icelandic report finds 8 May 2023 * [5120] 'It's a therapeutic genre for me': Iceland's PM releases debut crime novel 28 Oct 2022 * [4219] Iceland's volcanic eruption outside Reykjavik officially over 20 Dec 2021 * [8256] Iceland no longer has more female than male MPs after recount 26 Sept 2021 * [4935] Icelandic police arrest four people over alleged terror attack plans 22 Sept 2022 * [3500] Iceland volcano: eruption under way in Fagradalsfjall near Reykjavik 20 Mar 2021 Most viewed Most viewed * World * Europe * US * Americas * Asia * Australia * Middle East * Africa * Inequality * Global development * News * Opinion * Sport * Culture * Lifestyle Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning Sign up for our email * About us * Help * Complaints & corrections * SecureDrop * Work for us * * Privacy policy * Cookie policy * Terms & conditions * Contact us * All topics * All writers * Digital newspaper archive * Facebook * YouTube * Instagram * LinkedIn * Twitter * Newsletters * Advertise with us * Guardian Labs * Search jobs Back to top (c) 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. (dcr)