Avalanche Ingeniously Prevented: Video

When a large crevice had formed in the mass of snow that had accumulated in the hills above the Icelandic Emigration Center in Hofsós, North Iceland, increasing the risk of an avalanche, local experts responded quickly. Faced with the possibility of an avalanche sweeping the Emigration Center and nearby houses into the ocean, they brought heavy equipment to the site yesterday afternoon, including an excavator and a snowcat, to remove the ominous threat, mbl.is reports.

The village of Hofsós, population about 200, is situated on the ocean, near steep hills, where a great deal of snow has accumulated in recent days. The village is best known for the Icelandic Emigration Center and the unique outdoor geothermal pool that offers a spectacular view of Skagafjörður fjord.

Chief Superintendent Stefán Vagn Sigurðsson tells mbl.is the decision was made to use heavy equipment to chop down the mass of snow, thereby removing the treat of an avalanche. So great was the threat that the Icelandic Met Office, in consultation with the police, decided to close the whole harbor area in Hofsós yesterday.

The crevice that had formed in the snow mass was 50 meters long (over 160 ft) and up to 6 meters (20 ft) deep. Its formation was interpreted as an indication that the snow mass was already moving down the slope.

According to the latest reports, the snow mass was successfully removed, thereby eliminating the threat.

Unusually many avalanches have occurred in Iceland in recent days in three different parts of the country: the West Fjords, North Iceland and the East Fjords. Yesterday, no less than 138 avalanches had been recorded by the Icelandic Met Office during the past ten days.