Volcanic eruptions have returned to normal among the population of Iceland

Once again, Grindavik had to be evacuated since a new volcanic eruption occurred on Saturday evening. In November last year, residents were ordered to leave the Icelandic port city after authorities recorded increased seismic activity in the area. Since then, there have been four volcanic eruptions, the most recent of which is the most powerful.

Andrea Avarsdóttir had lived in Grindavik for nine years when she and her family were asked to leave their home. They moved to the capital, Reykjavik.

-We were evacuated in November and never came back. “We'll never come back,” she says.

The decision to move was not easy. All of Andrea Avarsdóttir's children had friends in Grindavik and she herself worked in the city.

– But when the second eruption happened and that man fell into a hole and disappeared, the decision was not difficult at all, she says.

She doesn't try Some fear among Icelanders, although everyone realizes that lava could burst through the Earth's crust at any moment.

-We experience outbreaks almost every year, and this is very normal for us. I think people are a little worried, but there's no panic or anything like that, says Andrea Avarsdottir.

The more outbreaks there are, the less they are talked about. In December, Andrea Avarsdottir's Facebook page was full of posts about the latest volcanic eruptions, and now she only sees a few comments about it from time to time.

Helenor Raven Gumundssonwho also lives in Reykjavik, shares this view.

– It's always a topic of conversation in the office, but it's becoming more general, it's part of everyday life. We're getting more used to it.

He's not afraid of volcanoes, he's more fascinated. He feels sympathy for the people of Grindavik who were forced to leave their homes.

– That city is collapsing. But I feel that people in Iceland are not afraid. These are powerful forces, but we are well informed and often know what will happen in advance, says Helenor Ravn Gumundsson.

Yesterday he went out to see the explosion. The volcano was located dozens of kilometers away, but he could still see the sky lit up red in the darkness.

– It was a beautiful sight.