Volcanic eruptions have begun on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland.
Iceland’s Weather Service said the eruption began at 09.45 local time (10:45 BST), just north of the small town of Glindavik. Less than an hour later, the cracks that opened in the ground were 700 meters wide (2296 feet) and continued to grow.
The eruption occurred after hundreds of earthquakes, known as Sundhnúks Crater Row, collided around 6:30 local time.
Both Grindavík and the nearby Blue Lagoon Spa, a popular tourist destination, had already been ordered to evacuate in anticipation of an eruption. Roads heading in and out of town remain closed, but flights are currently unaffected.
At 11:00 on the local area, the Icelandic Meteorological Bureau (IMO) said the original crack had been extended southward and a new crack had opened.
Authorities urged those remaining in Glindavik to leave. Several individuals had refused to comply with evacuation orders earlier on Tuesday, Icelandic media reported.
The area’s police chief Ulfar Lulufulvixon told local media that only about 40 homes were occupied by residents following previous volcanic activity.
Most of Grindavík’s 4,000 residents were evacuated permanently in November 2023 before erupting in December 2023 and January, February and March 2024.
The current magma tunnel, which formed under the area’s Crater series, is approximately 11 km (6.8 miles). This is the longest measured since November 11th, 2023.
Based on current wind directions, gas pollution from the eruption will travel northeast towards the capital area, the IMO added.
Since 2021, multiple eruptions have occurred on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The last time the peninsula had a period of volcanic activity was 800 years ago – and the eruption lasted for decades.
Iceland has 33 active volcanic systems, sitting on what is known as the ridges of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean.
