Iceland volcano latest updates today: Magma ‘very close’ to surface

A volcano close to erupting in Iceland could explode like a “can of fizzy drink,” an expert has said.

Iceland’s Met Office has said magmatic gas has been detected at a borehole in Svartsengi, signalling an imminent eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano over the coming days, with the town of Grindavik most at risk.

Magma has been building underneath Iceland and Margaret Hartley, a senior lecturer in Earth sciences at the University of Manchester, said an eruption was a case of when, not if.

“I do think an eruption will take place, but the big question is when that might happen,” she told Live Science.

An eruption would take place when an open fracture connecting the magma dike to the Earth’s surface opens up.

Experts have revealed the likely eruption site of a volcano in Iceland, as authorities warn evacuees they may not return home for months.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said magmatic gas has been detected at a borehole in Svartsengi, signalling an imminent eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano over the coming days.

“Hagafell is thought to be a prime location for an eruption,” the forecaster said.

The likely eruption site is near the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated due to a string of earthquakes shaking residents and their homes.

No other country was better prepared than Iceland for volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters, prime minister Katrin Jakobsdottir said.

Her statement comes at a time when people are fearing the imminent eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano over the coming days, with the town of Grindavik most at risk.

“We have long experience in dealing with volcanic eruptions,” the prime minister said.

“We know that it’s not necessarily a sound decision to build for example defence mechanisms when you have such a great uncertainty where an eruption can come up.”

She continued: “Our main priority is really to embrace those people, ensure that they have adequate salaries and to find proper housing for them for the next weeks or months.”

“We have proposed a bill for the parliament to ensure the salaries for the next three months. And we are working as fast as we can to ensure proper housing for those people.”

Flights to Keflavik Airport remain undisrupted despite the predicted location of a volcano eruption being close to the airport.

Here are the flights from the UK until 3.10pm:

Arrival 10.30am – from London Luton, Wizz Air

Arrival 10.45am – from London Luton, EasyJet

Arrival 10.45am – from Birmingham, Jet2

Arrival 10.55am – from London Heathrow, British Airways

Arrival 11.25am – from London Gatwick, EasyJet

Arrival 11.30am – from Manchester, Jet2

Arrival 1.40pm – from Liverpool, Play

Arrival 2pm – from London Stansted, Play

Arrival 2.25pm – from Manchester, Icelandair

Arrival 3.10pm – from Glasgow, Icelandair

Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon spa shut down after a series of earthquakes led guests to vacate the hotel.

The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa southwest of Reykjavík, will be closed until 30 November amid fears of an imminent volcanic eruption.

In an update on its website, the attraction said: “At this moment it is not possible to determine when or where an eruption might occur. The Icelandic Meteorological Office, Civil Protection, and a team of scientists from the University of Iceland are closely monitoring the situation and analysing the developments.”

It added: “Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity, and there have been three eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the last two years. Icelandic authorities and local communities are well-prepared for such events, and Iceland has one of the world’s most effective volcanic preparedness measures. Iceland’s geoscientists possess vast experience in dealing with volcanic activities.”

Yes, and no – that’s according to Dr David Neave, senior lecturer at The University of Manchester.

The evacuated town of Grindavik is close to Keflavik international airport, and so there are understandably concerns it could lead to issues, especially with the memories of 2010 still in people’s minds.

Dr Neave said: “If there is an eruption on land, the Icelandic aviation authorities may be able to work around it as they have done during recent eruptions at Fagradalsfjall. The situation may be very different if the eruption occurs offshore and generates a lot of ash.

“That said, we know a lot more about ash-aircraft interactions than we did in 2010, which will help to improve safety and minimise disruption.”

According to Dr Dave McGarvie, volcanologist, honorary researcher at University of Lancaster, the best-case scenario for Iceland, and all the residents and businesses evacuated, was for the volcano to not erupt.

He said: ““t is known from past eruptive episodes in Iceland (e.g. Krafla Fires, 1975-1984) that not all dikes breach the surface to form eruptions, and that only minority do so – perhaps one in every three of four.

“The best-case scenario is that this happens to the 15 km long dike that has just formed, and that it simply cools and solidifies – and does not erupt.”

As the likely eruption of the volcano in Iceland appears to be getting closer, people with flights booked to Iceland will be wondering if it safe to go.

The Foreign Office advice stops well short of advising against travel to Iceland, meaning holiday companies can continue to operate as normal.

It’s advice to travellers is: “The town of Grindavík was evacuated as a precaution. Some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area. Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal.

“While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area.”

Experts have revealed the likely eruption site of a volcano in Iceland, as authorities warn evacuees they may not return home for months.

A man who evacuated from a town in Iceland after earthquakes put the region on alert for a volcanic eruption said he fears he might never see his home again.

Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday, packing only a few essential items, to stay with Mr Gunnarsson’s mother in Reykjavik.

Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.

Today, authorities warned residents that it may be months before they are allowed back into their homes.

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