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The strongest earthquake, 5.6 on the Richter scale, occurred on the morning of February 24. Over the next several days, two larger ones were produced, with a force greater than 5.0.
The earthquakes have not caused much damage so far, although small cracks in the road surface have been reported, stones falling from the mountains.
The Víkurfrétta news agency in Keilire has installed a camera and broadcasts live from the place where the eruption is expected:
VIDEO: Cones and seismic zone
“I’ve experienced earthquakes before, but never in a row,” Auður Alfa Ólafsdóttir, who lives in Reykjavik, told CNN. – It is very rare to feel the Earth shaking 24 hours a week. You feel very small and defenseless in front of nature. “
In the fishing village Grindavík residents are the ones who feel the underground vibrations the most. “I have never experienced something like this,” said Páll Valur Björnsson.
“We are used to it, it started a year ago. But now there are many more, which is very worrying. I am not afraid, but I feel uncomfortable. I woke up twice that night with vibrations. It’s difficult, but learning to live with it, “he said.
The island is above the junction of the tectonic plates and the hot spot, so it has several volcanoes, there are a lot of vibrations. Most of the seismic activity is recorded only with sensitive scientific equipment, people do not feel it. Occasionally, stronger tremors occur, which is unavoidable when living in a seismically active region.
Only this time there seems to be no end to the underground vibrations. Valdorvaldur Þórðarson, a professor of volcanology, told CNN that people’s anxiety is understandable. “It is really quite unusual in this region, not earthquakes or their intensity, but their duration. It has been going on for more than a week, ”he said.
“We are racking our heads right now, why? Why is this happening? Magma is very likely to invade the Earth’s crust. It is very close to the surface, but we are trying to find out if it is still getting closer.” said the scientist.
With several volcanoes in the region, local officials have warned that an eruption could be imminent.
Researchers in the region have installed surveillance technology, from GPS systems to video cameras and gas level measurement devices. It is warned that an earthquake of more than 6 on the Richter scale can occur.
Scientists’ models show that even if lava were to erupt, it would not reach any city, nor would the international airport suffer. However, the roads connecting the airport to the capital Reykjavik could be damaged and power lines could be cut.
2010 burst Eyjafjallajökull The volcano then stopped air traffic across Europe. Scientists are confident that such large ash emissions into the atmosphere are now unlikely.
A press conference on Wednesday reported that the volcano’s eruption “is more likely than not.”
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