Iceland volcano – live: Almost 100 earthquakes strike in seismic swarm during eruption fears

Almost 100 earthquakes shook Iceland from midnight today, as the country remains apprehensive about an imminent eruption. The strongest earthquake with a magnitude of 3.35 hit Vatnafjoll in South Iceland this morning at 5.56am, report the Icelandic Met Office. Yesterday night a seismic swarm started around the dike intrusion just north of the evacuated town of Grindavik. The Icelandic Met Office continues to warn of the “persistent likelihood of an imminent eruption”. In its latest update, the forecaster said there were around 100 earthquakes on Monday, with a “swarm” near the town which lasted just over an hour before midnight. A fortnight ago, Grindavik was evacuated after magma-induced seismic activity tore vast chasms through the streets of the town. While hundreds of earthquakes are still hitting the surrounding area daily, “seismic activity continues to decrease”, said the Icelandic Met Office, adding: “The likelihood of an imminent volcanic eruption diminishes with time.” However, one civil protection official told theThe Independent “It is still dangerous here ... I have never seen anything like it before. Usually we will have a few minutes warning to get out, but with the weather like it is today, we have even less.” Read More What to do with Grindavík: Has Iceland’s #1 selfie spot just emerged out of the ground? Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked Every resident of an Icelandic town was evacuated due to a volcano. Daring rescuers went back to save the pets