Grindavik reopens to residents nearly 1 year after explosive volcanic eruptions began in Iceland
According to a report from national public service broadcaster RÚV, the European town will open to residents on Monday morning, and the decision to do so was based off risk assessments that are updated regularly.
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A video recorded in Iceland shows a stunning display of the Northern Lights shining bright as lava shoots into the sky during a volcanic eruption on Friday, Aug. 28, 2024.
GRINDAVIK, Iceland – Residents of the seaside town of Grindavík in Iceland are being allowed to return home nearly a year after fleeing the region ahead of a series of explosive volcanic eruptions that began at the end of 2023.
According to a report from national public service broadcaster RÚV, the European town will open to residents on Monday morning, and the decision to do so was based off risk assessments that are updated regularly.
Watch: Video shows steam rising from cracked roads in Grindavik amid Iceland volcanic eruption fears
Video recorded in Grindavik shows steam coming from cracks that formed in roads. The seaside town in Iceland is preparing for a possible volcanic eruption. (Video from November 2023)
First responders and other officials will remain in the region and will continue to work as normal, and traffic into and out of Grindavík will be monitored for safety reasons in the event another mass evacuation is needed.
According to RÚV, work has been underway to increase the security and safety inside Grindavík, including things like mapping and visual inspections, and cracks that opened up due to the thousands of earthquakes that have rattled the region before and after the eruptions have been filled in and repaired.
ICELAND RESIDENT DESCRIBED RELENTLESS EARTHQUAKES, MOMENTS OF PANICKED EVACUATION
Aerial aftermath: Video of Iceland homes destroyed by lava
The Coast Guard flew over Grindavik, Iceland on Monday after the lava from the erupting volcano cooled to see the three homes that were destroyed.
Other dangerous areas have been fenced off to prevent residents from entering.
New signs have also been posted within town limits, and dangerous areas have also been marked off.
And while the decision to allow residents to return may come as a relief to many, officials stressed that entering the town is "at their own risk" and is "not a place for children."
Watch: Sirens wail at Iceland's Blue Lagoon before volcano erupts outside Grindavik
Video recorded at Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon shows people evacuating as sirens wail in the distance warning of a volcanic eruption outside the seaside town of Grindavik on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
RÚV, reports that residents were reminded that earthquakes continue and conditions can change quickly, meaning it may be necessary to evacuate the town and the surrounding areas, like the popular travel destination Blue Lagoon, at a moment's notice.
In addition, RÚV says the National Police Commissioner is responsible for declaring an emergency, and access to the town may change to reflect that declaration.
The Grindavik, Iceland volcano eruption on March 17, 2024. (Image: Icelandic Met Office)
The volcano erupted six times since December 2023, with the most recent occurring at the end of August.
Due to its location on the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, the Nordic island nation is no stranger to volcanic activity.
Iceland is home to about 130 volcanic mountains, many of which are considered to be inactive.
Information in this article was translated via Google Translate