COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Icelanders want to keep their eyes closed without discomfort after the tremors of tens of thousands of earthquakes put them to sleep for weeks in what scientists call an unprecedented seismic event, which could end in a spectacular volcanic eruption.
“It simply came to our notice then. It’s like walking over a fragile suspension bridge, “Gannmundsdottir, a lifelong resident of the city of Grindavik, told Reuters.
Grindavik is located in the southern part of the Reykjanes Peninsula, a volcanic and seismic hot spot, where more than 40,000 earthquakes have occurred since February 24, surpassing the total number of earthquakes recorded last year.
Situated between the Eurasian and American tectonic plates, Iceland often experiences earthquakes as the plates move slowly in opposite directions at a rate of about 2 centimeters each year.
The source of the earthquakes of recent weeks is a large body of molten rock, known as magma, that moves about a kilometer below the peninsula, as it tries to move toward the surface.
“We have never seen so much seismic activity,” Sara Barsotti, the volcanic risk coordinator at the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), told Reuters.
Some of these earthquakes occurred at magnitudes of up to 5.7.
“Everyone here is so tired,” said Gudmundsdottir, a 5th grader. “When I go to sleep at night, I just think, ‘Will I sleep tonight?’
Many from Grindavik have visited relatives, spent summers in summer houses or even rented a hotel room in Reykjavik, the capital, just to rest and spend a good night’s sleep.
Icelandic authorities warned of an impending volcanic eruption on the peninsula in early March, but said they did not expect it to disrupt international air traffic or damage critical infrastructure nearby.
Unlike the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010, which stopped approximately 900,000 flights and forced hundreds of Icelanders to leave their homes, the eruption on the peninsula is not expected to throw much ash or smoke into the atmosphere.
Experts expect the lava to come out of the cracks in the ground, which could result in spectacular sources of lava, which could spread from 20 to 100 meters into the air.
Last year, authorities established an emergency plan for Grindavik. One option includes placing premises on boats in the North Atlantic, if an eruption closes the roads to the remote city.
“I trust the authorities to keep us informed and evacuate us,” Gudmundsdottir said. “I’m not afraid, just tired.”
Reports by Nikolaj Skydsgaard and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Edited by Emelia Sithole-Matarise