Iceland has been rocked by 180 earthquakes in the last 48 hours, with the highest magnitude quake striking on Monday morning. The earthquakes ranged in magnitude from 0.7 to 2.4, and were felt in areas both near and far from the town of Grindavik.
The Icelandic Met Office has said that while seismic activity is decreasing, the “unrest phase is not over”.
“The process which began on 25 October with a significant seismic swarm and peaked on 10 November with the formation of a 15 km long magmatic dike is not over,” the Met Office said in a statement.
“With certainty it can be stated that a phase has started where a similar sequence of events might repeat in time.”
A fortnight ago, Grindavik was evacuated after magma-induced seismic activity tore vast chasms through the streets.
Indonesia: Volcanic Eruption Kills 11 Hikers
In a separate incident, a volcanic eruption in Indonesia has killed at least 11 hikers. The 2,891-metre-tall Marapi volcano in West Sumatra province erupted on Sunday, spewing ash as high as 3km into the sky that rained volcanic debris onto nearby villages.
What does this mean for Iceland and Indonesia?
The recent earthquake activity in Iceland is a reminder that the country is located on a geologically active hotspot. The Met Office is warning that there is a possibility of another eruption in the future, so it is important for residents to be prepared.
In Indonesia, the eruption of Mount Marapi is a tragedy. The loss of life is a reminder of the dangers of volcanoes. It is important for people who live near volcanoes to be aware of the risks and to have a plan in place in case of an eruption.
What can we do to prepare for volcanic eruptions?
There are a number of things that people can do to prepare for volcanic eruptions. These include:
Creating a family emergency plan
Signing up for emergency alerts
Assembling an emergency kit
Knowing your evacuation routes
By taking these steps, you can help to protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a volcanic eruption.
Conclusion
Volcanoes are powerful forces of nature, but they are also fascinating and beautiful. It is important to be aware of the risks associated with volcanoes, but we should also appreciate their power and wonder.
