Seismic activity in Iceland is decreasing, but the country remains on eruption alert world

Icelandic authorities said on Friday that they remain on alert in anticipation of a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, although the chances are diminishing after seismic activity decreased.

Iceland has been at high risk of an eruption since seismic activity and underground lava flows increased in the area near the capital Reykjavik in October.

The Met Office said in a statement that an eruption in or near the evacuated town of Grindavik is now considered less likely and that volcanic magma is more likely to erupt in the area between Hagafell and Selinjarfell.

She added: “Seismic activity continues to decrease and the possibility of an eruption is decreasing over time.”

Five ministers from the Icelandic Parliament visited Grindavik on Friday, where evacuated residents were allowed to return since Thursday to collect their personal belongings.

But Public Safety Director Vidir Rennison said it would take months before they could all return to Grindavik due to damage to infrastructure, according to Icelandic outlet RÚV.

Iceland’s Civil Defense Authority said in a statement that as a result of decreased activity since the beginning of the week, the risk level associated with the earthquake in Grindavik was reduced from emergency level to danger level on Thursday.