Iceland Begins Construction of Protective Walls Amidst Volcanic Threat to Grindavik City
The Icelandic government has initiated the construction of defensive barriers to safeguard the city of Grindavik, facing an imminent volcanic eruption. Shortly before midnight, the Althing approved a bill allowing the construction of defensive structures near critical infrastructure in Reykjanes, as reported by RUV.
The Minister of Justice in Iceland announced that permission for the commencement of defensive wall construction in Svartsengi will be granted today.
Throughout the night, trucks transported construction materials from mines to Svartsengi. Long-term efforts to protect the city have commenced, aiming to work safely within Grindavik.
Vidar Reinesson from Civil Defense reported in the morning news that construction of defensive structures on the Reykjanes Peninsula continued throughout the night.
The National Police Commissioner submitted the development plan for these structures to the Minister of the Interior, awaiting approval.
Once the law takes effect, construction can begin on untouched land. Seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula has decreased, but there remains a significant probability of a volcanic eruption.
Almost 500 earthquakes were recorded on the peninsula last night.
Companies and residents who were unable to access their homes and belongings yesterday are permitted entry into the city today. Companies have a window from 10:00 to 12:00, while residents can enter from 12:00 to 16:00.
"We will assess the situation but try to give residents who couldn't return to their homes yesterday a chance to return today between twelve and four," says Bjarni Annelsdottir from the Sudurnes Police, adding that the schedule will be somewhat stricter than yesterday.
Gisli David Karlsson, an expert from the Employment Agency, announced this morning that unemployment benefits will apply retroactively from yesterday.
As previously reported by The Gaze, the city of Grindavik in Iceland, home to approximately 4,000 residents, is under serious threat due to an expected volcanic eruption. City residents were evacuated early on Saturday after underground magma displacement triggered hundreds of earthquakes, seen as precursors to a potential eruption.
The most likely scenario is the opening of a crack in the earth near the city. However, experts do not rule out that an eruption at the bottom of the ocean could result in the formation of a large ash cloud, which may fall on the city.