According to experts, the volcanic eruption in Iceland near the capital, Reykjavik, is subsiding and gas pollution is decreasing. Despite this, residents are urged to stay away from the volcano as it continues to emit toxic gases.
Iceland’s Meteorological Office, Vedur, reported on Tuesday that the eruption has subsided considerably and people should stay away from the restricted area. The Litli Hrutur volcano, located about 60 km from the capital, has attracted the attention of some people trying to get closer to the site, which is 9 km uphill from the nearest car park.
Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, spokesman for the department for civil protection and emergency management, said that while it was not dangerous to be outdoors, the situation was unpredictable, and children should be prevented from going near the area, even when restrictions were lifted.
The civil protection and emergency management department urged residents of the Reykjanes peninsula to close windows and turn off ventilation on Monday night.
While the Met Office had previously warned of high gas pollution around the lava eruption, no ash was reported. According to a Vedur weather forecast map, the hazardous gases are expected to affect the Fagradalsfjall area, south of the eruption, away from densely populated areas.
“The eruption has turned into a small eruption, which is very good news,” Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a professor of geophysics at the University of Iceland, told Icelandic broadcaster RUV early Tuesday.