Strongest earthquake in 48 hours recorded in Iceland as fears over eruption remain

The strongest earthquake in 48 hours was detected near the evacuated town of Grindavik this morning, as the Icelandic Met Office continues to warn of the “persistent likelihood of an imminent eruption”.

In its latest update, the forecaster said there were around 300 earthquakes on Sunday, with a “swarm” near the town which lasted just over an hour before midnight.

They included an earthquake with a magnitude of 3, located three miles northeast of Grindavik, at 00.26 am on November 27. Over the previous 48 hours, the strongest earthquake had a 2.7 magnitude.

A fortnight ago, Grindavik was evacuated after magma-induced seismic activity tore vast chasms through the streets of the town.

While hundreds of earthquakes are still hitting the surrounding area daily, “seismic activity continues to decrease”, said the Icelandic Met Office, adding: “The likelihood of an imminent volcanic eruption diminishes with time.”

However, one civil protection official told The Independent “It is still dangerous here ... I have never seen anything like it before. Usually, we will have a few minutes warning to get out, but with the weather like it is today, we have even less.”