Overview

A volcano in southwest Iceland erupted on Sunday, marking the fifth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since 2021.

Assessment and Location

The country’s meteorological office has dispatched a coast guard helicopter to assess the situation and determine the precise location of the eruption, according to the Civil Protection agency.

Eruption Details

RUV, a broadcaster, reported that the eruption started north of the fishing town of Grindavik. However, the exact emergence point of the lava and its direction of flow remain unclear.

Previous Eruption

The most recent eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula occurred on December 18, originating from the Svartsengi volcanic system. As a precautionary measure, the town of Grindavik, with its 4,000 inhabitants, was evacuated entirely, and the popular tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, was temporarily closed. Fortunately, Grindavik was spared as the lava took a different path away from the town.

Iceland’s Geographic Characteristics

Iceland, located between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, experiences significant geological activity due to the opposite movements of these two immense plates. This makes it a seismic and volcanic hot spot.