This 'monster' volcano in Iceland has experts worried of possible eruption 'within days'

Fagradalsfjall volcano located 60 kilometres from Iceland's capital Reykjavik has been dormant for 6,000 years but the latest increase in activity triggered serious concerns that it could erupt 'within days'.

Local media report that there are signs of uplift and rise in magma collecting below the surface near the volcano.

Icelandic seismologists point out that despite the fact that there have been over 1,200 earthquakes recorded in Reykanes peninsula in Fagradalsfjall in two days, there is still no indication that the natural disaster is imminent.

But as this is ‘definitely a lot of activity’, they ‘take it seriously’ and continue to monitor the situation.

Here is what we know.

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A massive eruption could be underway, scientists fear

Scientists detected 1,200 earthquakes along the Reykanes peninsula in Fagradalsfjall, Iceland and they are now meeting to discuss the risk of a massive volcanic eruption that could be well underway and happen ‘within days’.

The worrying movements were recorded since 10pm on July 4, prompting the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the University of Iceland to raise an alarm and team up with the local Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management in a bid to assess the risk.

According to local media, the changes in seismic activity saw magma rising and pooling under the earth's surface.

Of the 1,200 quakes, eight were above magnitude three, with the most-powerful being between 3.6 and 3.7.

According to one of the local experts Magnús Freyr Sigurkarlsson, the intrusion activity and accumulating magma were similar to the lead-up to the last eruption and were taking place at a depth of around five kilometres.

Freyr Sigurkarlsson warned:

If this continues we think that there is a possibility that an eruption could occur within a few days.

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‘No evidence’ natural disaster is imminent

Natural hazards expert at Iceland's Met Office Elísabet Pálmadóttir assured Icelandic media that her team is checking whether the quakes were moving closer to the surface and is closely monitoring the situation.

She said:

This is definitely a lot of activity, and we take it seriously.

Just right now the scientists agree that despite the spike in quakes, there is no further evidence to indicate that an eruption is imminent. But the situation may change.

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Sources used:

- Mirror: 'Fears volcano could erupt within DAYS after 1,200 earthquakes logged in 48 hours'

- Express: 'Massive volcano set to ERUPT IN DAYS after being rocked by 1,200 earthquakes'