Inhabitants of Grindavik described being whisked from their homes early on Saturday as the ground shook, roads cracked and buildings suffered structural damage. Iceland, which has 33 active volcanic systems, declared a state of emergency and ordered the mandatory evacuation of Grindavik on Saturday. ![]() Iceland has 33 active volcanic systems, and three eruptions have taken place on the Reykjanes peninsula in recent years Shaken residents The Icelandic Meteorological Office warned on Monday of a “significant likelihood” of an eruption in the coming days on or just off the Reykjanes peninsula and near the capital, Reykjavik. They move in opposite directions, making the island a seismic and volcanic hot spot. Iceland is located between two of the largest tectonic plates on the planet, the Eurasian and the North American plates. Hundreds of earthquakes in the past few days, and magma shifting under the surface have prompted the unprecedented evacuation of 4,000 residents from the fishing town of Grindavik, just over 6km (about 4 miles) from the power plant. The plant, which supplies power to the entire country and produces hot and cold water for the Reykjanes peninsula, is located on Iceland’s southwestern coast. “The magma is now at a very shallow depth, so we are expecting an eruption within a couple of hours at the shortest but at least within a couple of days,” he warned on Saturday. “We have a fissure that’s about 15km long, and anywhere on that fissure, we can see that an eruption could happen,” said Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland’s Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management. ![]() Materials and equipment for the construction of a large protective dike around the plant will be moved to the facility on Tuesday while operators await formal government approval to begin the work. Keep reading list of 2 items list 1 of 2 Photos: Volcano erupts near Icelandic capital list 2 of 2 Volcanic eruption could destroy Icelandic fishing town, say experts end of list
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