Residents, business owners, and employees of the small fishing town of Grindavik, Iceland, can breathe a sigh of relief as local police have given them the green light to return home after being evacuated due to a volcanic eruption. The town, located near Iceland's main airport, was evacuated last month following a series of earthquakes that raised concerns about a potential eruption. The long-dormant Svartsengi volcano finally erupted on Monday, according to officials.

With just under 4,000 residents, the town of Grindavik was told that they could safely return on Saturday and stay overnight. However, the Icelandic Meteorological Office has cautioned that although the volcanic activity in the area has ceased, the situation remains "considerable." The office highlighted that weather conditions could impact the monitoring process, leading to a shorter warning time for any potential changes in activity.

Over the last 24 hours, approximately 90 lower-scale earthquakes were recorded in the Grindavík, Sundhnúksgígar, and Svartsengi regions, as reported by the meteorological office. The Svartsengi volcano, which had been dormant for about 780 years, witnessed its most powerful eruption in recent times. This eruption surpassed even the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano in March 2021, which had been dormant for 6,000 years.

Scientists, such as geophysicist Tumi Gudmunsson from the University of Iceland, explained that the volcanic activity was a result of the crust being ripped apart, allowing magma from below to reach the surface. Gudmunsson described the eruption as a quick and powerful event, resulting in the formation of lava. Local footage captured heavy plumes of smoke and lava spewing from the fissures, showcasing the intensity of the eruption.

The lava flow has spread across an area of approximately 1.4 square miles on the Reykjanes Peninsula, located about 31 miles southwest of Reykjavik. While the town of Grindavik can now return home to assess the situation, residents must remain cautious as conditions can change rapidly. Authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions and urging residents to stay informed about any potential developments related to the volcano.

Overall, the small fishing town of Grindavik is beginning to breathe a sigh of relief as they are allowed to return home following the recent volcanic eruption. While the situation remains concerning due to the volcano's unpredictability and the impact of weather conditions on monitoring, residents can take comfort in the fact that the volcanic activity has ceased for now. The town's resilience and preparedness have been essential in ensuring the safety of its inhabitants during this challenging period.