AMN
Iceland has declared a state of emergency, after an increased risk of a volcanic eruption triggered by a series of intense earthquakes in the southwest part of the country. Authorities urged residents to evacuate the coastal town of Grindavik. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, nearly 800 quakes were recorded on Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Department of Civil Protection of Iceland has sent patrol vessels to the earthquake site in Grindavik for security purposes.
Since 2021, Iceland has witnessed volcanic eruption almost every 12 months, with the latest occurring in July south of Reykjavik, the capital. Iceland, situated on a tectonic plate boundary, continuously undergoes splitting, pushing North America and Eurasia away from each other along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The country is home to 32 active volcanoes.