Grindavík and Hveragerði, two towns in southwest Iceland, are located in areas classified at the highest hazard level in a new risk assessment by the Icelandic Met Office, reports Vísir.
The data comes from reports published by the Met Office last week regarding volcanic danger on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Part of Hafnarfjörður lies very close to areas where there is a very high risk of lava flow. The likelihood of eruptions or lava flow is otherwise considered low across most of the capital region. All geothermal power plants on the Reykjanes Peninsula, at Reykjanes, Svartsengi, Hellisheiði, and Nesjavellir, are located in areas classified at the highest hazard level.
The reports are part of a long-term hazard and risk assessment related to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other geological hazards on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The assessment covers the area from Reykjanestá in the west to the Ölfusá river in the east and Hvalfjörður in the north.
The Met Office emphasises that the findings are not intended to predict where or when the next eruption will occur, nor whether lava will flow over specific areas in the coming years. They also do not define what constitutes “acceptable risk” for settlement or activities in the region.
When assessing volcanic risk to settlements, three towns stand out: Grindavík, Hveragerði, and part of Hafnarfjörður. The boundaries of Garðabær also lie close to areas where eruptions are considered likely.
Read more about the Met Office findings here.
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