Sleepless Icelanders, shaking in their beds, await a volcanic eruption

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – Icelanders long for an undisturbed eye after vibrations from tens of thousands of earthquakes rattle their sleep for weeks in what scientists call an unprecedented seismic event, which could well end in a spectacular volcanic eruption.

“At the moment we feel it constantly. It’s like walking across a vulnerable suspension bridge, ”Rannveig Gudmundsdottir, a lifelong resident of the city of Grindavik, told Reuters.

Grindavik is located in the southern part of the Reykjanes Peninsula, a volcanic and seismic hotspot, where more than 40,000 earthquakes have occurred since February 24, more than the total number of earthquakes recorded there last year.

Located between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland regularly experiences earthquakes as the plates slowly drift in opposite directions at a rate of about 2 inches each year.

The source of the earthquakes of the past few weeks is a large chunk of molten rock, known as magma, moving about a kilometer (0.6 miles) below the peninsula as it tries to make its way to the surface.

“We’ve never seen so much seismic activity,” Sara Barsotti, volcanic hazards coordinator at the Icelandic Meteorological Bureau (IMO) told Reuters.

Some of those earthquakes occurred with magnitudes as high as 5.7.

“Everyone here is so tired,” said Gudmundsdottir, a 5th grade teacher. “When I go to bed at night, all I think is: am I going to sleep tonight?”

Many in Grindavik have visited relatives, spent time in summer houses or even rented a hotel room in Reykjavik, the capital, just to get a break and a good night’s sleep.

Authorities in Iceland warned of an impending volcanic eruption on the peninsula in early March, but said they did not expect it to disrupt international air traffic or damage critical infrastructure nearby.

Unlike the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which halted about 900,000 flights and forced hundreds of Icelanders out of their homes, the peninsula eruption is not expected to spew much ash or smoke into the atmosphere.

Experts expect lava to erupt through cracks in the ground, potentially resulting in spectacular lava fountains, which can extend 20 to 100 meters into the air.

Last year, the authorities drew up an emergency plan for Grindavik. One option includes placing local residents on boats in the North Atlantic, if an eruption closes roads to the remote town.

“I trust the authorities will keep us informed and evacuate us,” said Gudmundsdottir. “I’m not scared, I’m just tired.”