From Iceland — RVK Grapevine Newscast #136: Over 7000 Earthquakes & Culture Crisis


Valur Grettisson
Photo by
Art Bicnick

This week in Icelandic news: over 7000 earthquakes have shook the earth around Keilir, only a few kilometres away from the Fagradalsfjall eruption. Scientists are afraid that if a new volcano comes up there, it could be up to 10 times more powerful than the one in Geldingadalir.
In the latest from the election saga, a new government still hasn’t been formed in Iceland, but it’s expected that the independent party, left greens and the progressive party will get to a conclusion within a few weeks. However, the election mess in the Northwest could yet affect the talks between the parties.
Finally there is a crisis in culture in Iceland. Experts say that 25% of jobs in the culture industry have been lost since 2008, and salaries are at least half of most salaries in Iceland. This has impacted on everything from filmmaking, to literature, to music, things that are very dear to Icelanders and their sense of identity.

Newscast supported by Einstök Beer

Note: Due to the effect the Coronavirus is having on tourism in Iceland, it’s become increasingly difficult for the Grapevine to survive. If you enjoy our content and want to help the Grapevine’s journalists do things like eat and pay rent, please consider joining our High Five Club.

You can also check out our shop, loaded with books, apparel and other cool merch, that you can buy and have delivered right to your door

Also you can get regular news from Iceland—including the latest notifications on eruptions, as soon as they happen—by signing up to our newsletter.

Support The Reykjavík Grapevine!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!

Show Me More!