No work is currently taking place on the protective barriers at Grindavík , but those involved remain on alert and ready to respond should a volcanic eruption begin.
This was stated by Arnar Smári Þorvarðarson , a construction technologist at Verkís , in an interview with mbl.is.
Ready to respond
“There’s nothing going on at the moment. But people are fully aware and are monitoring the area and the locations of the machinery. Equipment is on site so we can respond,” Þorvarðarson said.
He added that staff are well aware of the risks that could prove most challenging, such as at the section of the protective barrier where Grindavíkurvegur Road passes through, north of Grindavík .
“That’s something that needs to be closely monitored if lava starts flowing toward it. That may be the most vulnerable point.”
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Expected to withstand flowing lava
Þorvarðarson nevertheless pointed out that the barriers, as they currently stand, should be able to withstand an onslaught of flowing lava, given their significant height relative to the surrounding terrain.
“Everyone is on edge, so to speak, and ready to jump into action, and people know exactly where the machinery is. There are machines on site that can be deployed, and within the protective barriers at Svartsengi , equipment has been positioned. There is one large bulldozer there that is not currently in use and is available on site. There are also excavators and similar machines working nearby that would be brought in if any incident were to occur,” he said.
“And of course, as always, the situation will be assessed at any given time and the necessary measures taken,” he added in conclusion.
Source: Mbl.is
