Earthquakes and volcanic eruption in Iceland: Lava threatens residents

This Tuesday, 1st April, in the south-west of Iceland, the volcano Sundhnúkagígar erupted, resulting in a massive fissure in the ground.

This fissure extends for 1.2km long, near the famous Blue Lagoon spa and the small fishing village of Grindavik. Throughout the day of 1st April, numerous earthquakes shook the region, reports the BBC.

The regional police commissioner quickly invited residents and tourists to "leave the dangerous area". Some, however, decided to stay in their homes. As Rikke Pedersen of the Nordic Volcanological Centre confided, the authorities fear the town is "in danger of seeing lava flows entering the inhabited area".

In Iceland, nearly 33 volcanic systems are active, situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is on the boundary between two of the largest tectonic plates on the planet, reports the media L’Indépendant.

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: L’Indépendant - Illustration: ©Unsplash)