Volcano erupts in southwest Iceland

Aerial view of the evacuated Icelandic town of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 21, 2023. A volcanic eruption began on Monday night in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland’s Meteorological Office reported. AFP FILE PHOTO

COPENHAGEN — A volcano in southwest Iceland erupted on Sunday, the country’s meteorological office said, making it the fifth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since 2021.

A coast guard helicopter has been sent to assess the situation and the exact location, the Civil Protection agency said.

The eruption began 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, said broadcaster RUV.

The last eruption on the peninsula started in the Svartsengi volcanic system on Dec. 18 following the complete evacuation of the town of Grindavik’s 4,000 inhabitants and the closing of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular tourist spot.

Grindavik was ultimately spared as the lava flowed in a different direction from the town.

Lying between the Eurasian and North American 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.