THOUSANDS of residents have been evacuated across Iceland, with a popular tourist attraction forced to close due to fears of a volcanic eruption.
Here is everything you need to know about travelling to Iceland right now.
ReutersHere is everything you need to know about travelling to Iceland, following hundreds of earthquakes and fears of a volcanic eruption[/caption]
ReutersHuge cracks have resulted in the evacuation of 4,000 locals[/caption]
GettyA state of emergency has been declared across Iceland[/caption]
Is it safe to travel to Iceland in 2023?
Iceland is still deemed safe to travel to and is one of the safest holiday destinations in Europe.
However, the UK Foreign Office has warned of last-minute changes for tourists in the country.
The website says: “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 Thorbjörn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon.
“On 10 November, 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.”
Flights are still running to and from Iceland from the UK.
How likely is a volcanic eruption?
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has said there is a “considerably high” risk of the volcano erupting.
And the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue warned on their website: “The likelihood of a volcanic eruption is high and an eruption could be possible on a timescale of just days.”
It comes after another 800 earthquakes were measured yesterday.
What does Iceland’s state of emergency mean?
The state of emergency has resulted in more than 4,000 locals evacuated from the town of Grindavík.
And the popular Blue Lagoon is to remain closed until at last November 30, where it will be reviewed again.
Is Reykjavik safe from a volcanic eruption?
The earthquakes are across the Reykjanes peninsula, with the evacuated town just 35 miles from the city.
However, Reykjavik has not been evacuated and is currently unaffected, although this could change at short notice.
ReutersGrindavik was evacuated on November 10[/caption]