COPENHAGEN: A volcano in southwest Iceland erupted on Sunday, the country’s meteorological office said, making it the 5th eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since 2021.
The Civil Protection Agency said a Coast Guard helicopter was dispatched to assess the situation and the exact location.
The eruption started north of the fishing town of Grindavik, but it was still not clear exactly where the lava was emerging from or in which direction it was flowing, according to local media reports.
The last eruption on the peninsula began in the Svartsengi volcanic system on December 18, following the complete evacuation of the town of Grindavik’s four thousand inhabitants and the closing of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular tourist destination.
Grindavik was ultimately spared as the lava moved in a different direction from the town.
Iceland is a Seismic, Volcanic Hot Spot
Lying between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, two of the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hot spot as the two plates move in opposite directions.
