The risk of a fresh volcanic eruption near Grindavík, Iceland, is rising.
Magma continues to build up under the Svartsengi volcanic system, which could trigger another eruption, according to an expert quoted by the Icelandic Meteorological Office on Saturday. A similar amount of ground swelling was detected just prior to the latest eruption, which occurred a week before Christmas.
The most recent volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of the capital Reykjavik, began on 18 December and lasted for several days. This was the fourth eruption on the peninsula in three years, with lava spurting from a kilometre-long fissure in the ground.
Eruption intensity decreased during the following week. Initially, inhabitants of the village of Grindavík, situated a few kilometres south of the lava field, were evacuated. They were allowed to return home shortly before Christmas. Nevertheless, on Friday, Iceland's broadcaster RUV cited an expert advising residents not to stay overnight in the village.
