Iceland is bracing for a volcanic eruption in the coming days after a series of earthquakes and evidence of hot magma flowing quickly underground.

It comes after a string of earthquakes were recorded, with scientists warning of fast-flowing hot magma underground. Ever since October 24, there has been heightened seismic activity in the Reykjanes area of Iceland. On November 10, the National Police Commissioner of Iceland declared a Civil Protection Service Level of Emergency.

As a precautionary measure, the town of Grindavík was evacuated for residents' safety. Evacuations will remain in order until seismic activity subsides.

Despite activity in the area having died down slightly over recent days, there are still strong indications of an imminent volcanic eruption in the area close to Grindavík. Speaking to Sky News, Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at University College London, said it is notoriously difficult to forecast how big eruptions will be.

Currently, the Icelandic Met Office is working with the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management and scientists from the University of Iceland to actively monitor the situation. Experts say Icelandic authorities and the public are highly prepared for such events.

According to Visiticeland, Volcanic Iceland roughly erupts every five years. But since 2021, the frequency has been closer to every 12 months. The last eruption ended in August 2023, but the site still remains a major attraction.

In terms of whether the volcano's possible eruption could produce a huge ash cloud, experts have shared their verdict. In 2010, ash from Eyjafjallajokull triggered travel chaos, with many UK flights cancelled and delayed due to the weather conditions. It caused the largest closure of European airspace since World War II.

But University of Lancaster's volcanologist Dr Dave McGarvie says a potential eruption would not lead to such disruption. He said: "The volcanoes on the Reykjanes Peninsula do not have the ability to produce the disruptive ash clouds that characterised the Eyjafjallajokull 2010 eruption."

He added as well that since 2010, lessons have been learnt and technology has improved, so if an ash cloud of that size emerged again, there wouldn't be as many cancellations.