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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Bill McLoughlin

Foreign Office sends warning to Brits heading to Iceland amid volcano alert

Britons travelling to Iceland have been warned to monitor the latest travel updates amid the possibility of a volcanic eruption. 

Icelandic authorities evacuated the town of Grindavik on Saturday due to an increase in seismic activity

Although a fall on earlier numbers, nearly 800 earthquakes were recorded in the area between midnight and noon on Tuesday.

Due to rising fears over a volcanic eruption, the UK Foreign Office has warned Britons to be aware of any rapid changes to travelling to Iceland. 

A statement said: "Earthquakes and indications of volcanic activity have increased above normal levels on the Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik. The Icelandic authorities continue to monitor the area closely, particularly the area northwest of Mt Thorbjorn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon.

"On November 10, a Civil Protection Alert was declared after an intense swarm of earthquakes. The town of Grindavík was evacuated as a precaution.

"Some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area. Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal.

"While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area."

While travel remains open to Iceland, the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa has been closed due to the increased seismic activity.

The owners of the site have said it will remain closed until November 30 due to concerns for the welfare of staff while fissures have appeared in roads across Grindavik. 

At the time of writing, both British Airways and easyJet have said that their flight schedule is operating at normal levels. 

Rikke Pedersen, who heads the Nordic Volcanological Centre based in Reykjavik, said: "Less seismic activity typically precedes an eruption, because you have come so close to the surface that you cannot build up a lot of tension to trigger large earthquakes.

"It should never be taken as a sign that an outbreak is not on the way."

Authorities said they were preparing to construct a large dyke designed to divert lava flows around the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, located just over four miles from Grindavik.

Justice Minister Gudrun Hafsteinsdottir told state broadcaster RUV that equipment and materials that could fill 20,000 trucks were being moved to the plant.

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