Just a few days after Iceland’s iconic Blue Lagoon was temporarily closed due to intense seismic activity, the Nordic nation is now on alert for a likely volcanic eruption.
The two phenomena are connected. After two weeks in which hundreds of earthquakes affected the Reykjanes Peninsula, Icelandic authorities have declared a state of emergency also due to the increasing possibility of a volcanic eruption. According to the Icelandic Meteorological (Met) Office, the eruption should be imminent, and as today’s US Embassy Reykjavik’s advisory reports, there is a high probability of it happening in the next few days in or near Grindavik, which is located 26 miles southwest of Reykjavik, on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The seismic activity originated a few weeks ago in Grindavik, and the town, which is home to 3,400 people, was evacuated on Saturday, Euronews reports. The evacuation was due to the spotting of a growing magma corridor underneath the surface, which experts are estimating is already roughly 6.2 miles long and spreading.
“The biggest earthquakes originated there, under this old series of craters, but since then [the magma corridor] has been getting longer, went under the urban area in Grindavík and is heading even further and towards the sea,” geology professor Pall Einarrson told Iceland’s RUV, the country’s national broadcasting service.
Due to the intense seismic activity, large steaming cracks have appeared across the town of Grindavik and its surroundings.However, even though the area has been evacuated and Icelandic authorities have officially declared an orange Aviation Alert Level due to possible volcanic eruption, flights are still operating normally at the nearby Keflavik International Airport. The situation, though, is being monitored day by day, and at the moment, there is no “do not travel” warning in place for Iceland. With this in mind, travelers should know that visitors are encouraged to stay away from Grindavik and its surroundings.
Mexican restaurant chain Mad Mex has dropped a new protein, and it’s one of the most popular street foods in Mexico.
Enter, Chicken Al Pastor. It’s traditionally made with pork and grilled on a spinning rotisserie with a pineapple sitting a top, but Mad Mex has put its own spin on it, serving chicken bathed in an Al Pastor marinade with a touch of juicy pineapple.
You can order the protein-packed filling in your favourite burrito, bowl, quesadilla, nachos, or in a taco.
As always, these things are here for a good time, not a long time. Pop into your local Mad Mex restaurant, order delivery or through the Mad Mex app today.
