Iceland evacuated the town of Grindavik and the nearby Blue Lagoon today as a volcano started spewing lava, the eighth eruption to hit the region since the end of 2023. Icelandic authorities began the evacuations this morning after magma flows and a series of small earthquakes in the region indicated that the volcano would soon erupt.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said an eruption has started on the Suttunuksgigar Crater Row north of the fishing village Grindavik. Iceland is known as the land of ice and fire for its many glaciers and volcanoes.
The volcano has been spewing lava and smoke in a fiery display of orange and red since the eruption began in the morning, creating a huge crack in the ground which has grown to 1.2km (0.75 miles) long.
Multiple earthquakes have occurred in the volcanic area throughout the day.
The volcano is close to the fishing town of Grindavik and the famous Blue Lagoon spa. A small number of people refused to evacuate the town, local media reported.