Volcano erupts in Iceland, thousands evacuated

(Patria) - A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted yesterday after weeks of intense seismic activity, the state Meteorological Service announced.

On the Reykjanes Peninsula, authorities evacuated nearly 4,000 residents of the fishing town of Grindavik and closed the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

"Warning: eruption has begun north of Grindavik near Hagafell," the Meteorological Service announced on its website.

Happening now: Volcano erupts for the fourth time in less than three years on the Reykjanes peninsula near Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. This comes after the area recorded thousands of earthquakes over the past weeks. pic.twitter.com/TiW2SCGpQU

— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) December 18, 2023

Footage and live broadcasts by local news outlet RUV show lava flowing from the volcano.

Reykjavík Keflavík International Airport, located nearby, remained open.

In recent years, there have been several eruptions on the peninsula in uninhabited areas, but the current eruption is believed to pose an immediate danger to the town, authorities said.

Reykjanes is a volcanic and seismic hotspot southwest of the capital city of Reykjavík.

In March 2021, lava fountains spectacularly erupted from a 500-750 meter long fissure in the ground in the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system.