- The Reykjanes volcano erupted after weeks of earthquakes.
- Residents of Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon were evacuated beforehand.
- The town of Grindavik could be at risk from the lava flow.
Following weeks of strong earthquake activity, the Reykjanes volcano in southwest Iceland erupted on Monday, sending smoke and lava skyward, according to the nation’s Meteorological Office.
Authorities last month evacuated the almost 4,000 residents of the fishing village of Grindavik and closed the adjoining Blue Lagoon geothermal spa due to concerns about a major outbreak on the Reykjanes peninsula.
“Warning: Eruption has started north of Grindavik by Hagafell,” the Met Office said on its website.
Photographs and a Reuters video revealed molten rock shooting like fountains from cracks in the earth, its vivid orange and yellow hues standing out against the pitch-black night sky.
The public was advised not to approach the location while emergency workers evaluated the situation, and Icelandic police said that they had increased their alert level due to the outbreak.
According to the Met Office, a coast guard helicopter will soon be in the air to determine the precise position and magnitude of the eruption.
The international airport in Reykjavik, which is not far away, stayed open.
“At the moment, there are no disruptions to arrivals or departures at Keflavík Airport,” it said on its website.
There have been multiple eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in recent years in unpopulated areas, but authorities have stated that the town of Grindavik may be in risk from the most recent outbreak.
Thousands of earthquakes have occurred in the region during the previous two months, but since the magnitudes had decreased recently, several scientists believed that the risk of an eruption had decreased.
Southwest of the city Reykjavik is a volcanic and seismic hotspot called Reykjanes. In the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system, a fissure of 500–750 meters (1,640–2,460 feet) in length gave rise to stunning lava fountains in March 2021.
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