A series of earthquakes struck Iceland and Italy, raising warnings of volcanic eruptions.

Located between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, two of the largest tectonic plates on the planet, Iceland is a hotspot for seismology and volcanoes as the two plates move in opposite directions.

Volcanoes in Iceland. Photo: Reuters

Although earthquakes occur daily in Iceland, the latest one was unusually large in scale.

Matthew Roberts, head of IMO Research and Services, said: “These earthquakes are a warning sign that we are entering a phase of preparation for the next volcanic eruption.”

He added that the earthquakes originate at depths of up to 5 km and are caused by the long-term accumulation of magma that has created pressure and is now gradually rising towards the Earth's surface.

Earlier this year, a volcano erupted in an uninhabited area of ​​the Reykjanes Peninsula following several violent earthquakes. This was also the third eruption in the area southwest of the capital Reykjavik since 2021.

The IMO says a fourth eruption may now be developing, although predicting the exact timing of the volcanic eruption is very difficult.

A similar phenomenon is occurring in Pozzuoli, a port town on the outskirts of Naples, Italy. In recent weeks, authorities have been planning to evacuate tens of thousands of people living around the large volcanic area known as Campi Flegrei.

Sulfur fumes escape from the surface, making the area an extremely popular tourist destination. Locals have become accustomed to the stench, smoke, and tremors, with over a thousand earthquakes occurring in September alone, most of them minor.

But the 4.2 magnitude earthquake on September 27, the strongest in more than 40 years to shake the volcanic region, has raised fears of a possible "seismic crisis" for the first time since the early 1980s.

The Italian government is discussing the situation and will order evacuations if buildings are at risk of collapse due to the earthquake. A similar crisis occurred four decades ago, lasting several years and forcing 40,000 people to temporarily evacuate from Pozzuoli.

Hoang Nam (according to Reuters, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dong-dat-lien-tiep-xay-ra-o-iceland-va-y-canh-bao-nui-lua-phun-trao-post270243.html