Iceland Declares a State of Emergency , Ahead of Expected Volcanic Eruption.<br />The Icelandic Meteorological Office has <br />warned that a volcano in southwest Iceland <br />is likely to erupt in the next few days. .<br />NPR reports that the warning comes after<br />hundreds of small earthquakes have rattled <br />the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent days. .<br />Experts say the string of earthquakes, approximately <br />900 since midnight on November 13, are an early <br />warning sign that the volcano is about to erupt. .<br />On November 10, Iceland's Civil Protection Agency <br />declared a state of emergency and ordered over 3,300 <br />residents of the coastal town of Grindavik to evacuate. .<br />Officials have yet to say when residents <br />will be allowed to return to their homes. .<br />Residents have reportedly been allowed <br />to briefly visit several neighborhoods <br />to retrieve some of their belongings. .<br />The Blue Lagoon, a nearby man-made <br />geothermal pool, also announced that it <br />would remain closed until November 16, "at which point the situation will be reassessed.".<br />The Blue Lagoon, a nearby man-made <br />geothermal pool, also announced that it <br />would remain closed until November 16, "at which point the situation will be reassessed.".<br />Iceland is home to 32 different volcanic systems. .<br />In July, a volcano in the Litli-Hrútur <br />mountain range became <br />the latest eruption in Iceland. .<br />NPR reports that before 2021, <br />the Reykjanes Peninsula had not <br />experienced an eruption in over 800 years.<br />On November 12, the Icelandic Meteorological Society <br />said fire would soon break through the surface and <br />mercury would likely begin to leak into the ocean. .<br />On November 12, the Icelandic Meteorological Society <br />said fire would soon break through the surface and <br />mercury would likely begin to leak into the ocean.
