Volcanic eruption in Iceland: Eerie photos and videos
A volcano has erupted in Iceland (Getty Images)
A volcano has erupted in Iceland. The eruption began on the Reykjanes Peninsula, located in the southwest of Iceland, following earthquakes, according to CNN.
About the volcano
The volcano has spewed lava and smoke over a large area, posing a threat to the nearby town. Last month, local authorities evacuated nearly 4,000 residents of the fishing town of Grindavik and closed the nearby geothermal resort Blue Lagoon.
The eruption started north of the city on the evening of December 18. Since the end of October, there has been increased seismic activity in the capital region of Reykjavik, with thousands of underground tremors recorded.
Civil defense officials said that the eruption happened quickly and, all things considered, was quite significant. It is reported that lava is flowing in all directions from a large fissure in the volcano.
A volcano has erupted in Iceland (Getty Images)
On December 19, the Icelandic government announced that the length of the fissure is almost 4 kilometers. The statement added that this is the fourth eruption in the area since 2021 and the largest to date.
Last month, an evacuation order was issued for Grindavik and surrounding areas, prohibiting residents from staying in their homes at night due to the threat of a volcano eruption.
The city, with a population of over 3,000 people, which at one point was at risk of being in the path of the flowing lava, has been evacuated. It is a popular tourist destination, located approximately 7 kilometers from the famous geothermal resort Blue Lagoon.
The eruption does not pose a threat to life, according to a statement from the Icelandic government. People are urged not to approach the area.
A volcano erupts in Iceland (photo: facebook.com/Almannavarnir)
Also, watch the video of the powerful volcano eruption:
