Icelandic authorities are preparing to build defence walls around a geothermal power plant in the southwestern part of the country that they hope will protect it from lava flows amid concerns of an imminent volcanic eruption.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Seismic activity and underground lava flows intensified on the Reykjanes peninsula near the capital Reykjavik at the weekend.
Concern molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth within days prompted authorities to move almost 4000 from the fishing town of Grindavik on Saturday.
Located between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates, among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hot spot as the two plates move in opposite directions.
Iceland's Justice Minister Gudrun Hafsteinsdottir told state broadcaster RUV that a large dyke has been designed to protect the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, just more than 6km from Grindavik.
Equipment and materials that could fill 20,000 trucks were being moved to the plant, she said.
Construction of the protective dyke around the power station was awaiting formal approval from the government.
The plant produces hot and cold water and electricity for the Reykjanes peninsula.
A representative for HS Orka, operator of the power plant, told Reuters the plant supplied power to the entire country although a disruption would not affect power supply to the capital Reykjavik.
Seismic activity in southwestern Iceland decreased in size and intensity on Monday, but the risk of a volcanic eruption remained significant, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said.
As of late Monday evening, the volcanic hazard assessment in and around Grindavik was unchanged from Sunday.
Almost all the town's 3800 inhabitants were briefly allowed back into the town on Monday to collect valuables, pets and livestock, the Icelandic department of civil protection and emergency management said.
Most pets and farm animals had been rescued from Grindavik by Monday night, according to rescue charity Dyrfinna.
Australian Associated Press
