Residents of the Icelandic fishing town of Grindavik briefly returned on Thursday, December 21 to check their homes and collect some belongings weeks after being evacuated in preparation for the eruption.
This was after scientists noticed that the volcano's lava flows continued to diminish on Thursday and no volcanic activity was visible, three days after it spewed lava and smoke high into the air on the Reykjanes peninsula in the island nation's southwest.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office said that while the intensity of lava flows diminished overnight, it was too early to declare the eruption over.
"Scientists flying over the volcanic areas confirm that no volcanic activity is visible, and it appears to have extinguished in the craters, but glow is still visible in the lava field," it said.
Cracks in the Ground
Returning residents and media agencies returned to Grindavik on Thursday and found that the large cracks in the ground before the eruption had been secured by fences.
Some of the residents returning to their homes told Reuters that Christmas this year would be different.
"I think people should celebrate Christmas where they are," 65-year-old local Thorsteinn Einarsson said. "You can leave Grindavik for this year and maybe think about coming home next year, (in) January. Maybe. Just celebrate Christmas where you are."
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