Iceland volcano – live: Shock images show ground splitting as eruption fears grow

Shock images show roads split apart near Grindavik in Iceland as the country braced for a volcanic eruption following a series of earthquakes and evidence of magma spreading underground. The Icelandic Meteorological Office said that there was a “considerable” risk of an eruption on - or close to - the Reykjanes peninsula due to the size of the underground magma intrusion and the rate at which it was moving. Seismic activity in southwestern Iceland decreased in size and intensity on Monday, but the risk of a volcanic eruption remained significant, authorities said, after earthquakes and evidence of magma spreading underground in recent weeks. Experts said a nine-mile river of magma running beneath the peninsula was still active, putting Grindavik at risk. In the past few days, the country has been shaken by more than 2,000 small earthquakes and thousands of people have been told to evacuate Grindavik. The eruption was expected to begin on the seabed just southwest of the town. Read More Iceland roads cracked and evacuations ordered amid looming volcanic eruption Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption? Iceland earthquakes: What are your rights if you are on holiday or are planning to go? Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?