A state of emergency has been declared in Iceland after a volcano erupted for the fourth time since December, spewing orange lava into the air.
“Warning: An eruption has begun in Reykjanes,” the Icelandic Meteorological Office announced on its website on Saturday.
Prior to the latest eruption, the Icelandic Civil Protection Agency had warned that an eruption was imminent.
“Since October 24, scientists at the Icelandic Meteorological Agency have been monitoring an increase in seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which could be a sign of an impending volcanic eruption.” the official said.
Icelandic volcano erupts after weeks of increased seismic activity
The skyline of Reykjavik is visible against an orange sky as lava flows out of a fissure on the Reykjanes Peninsula north of the evacuated town of Grindavik in western Iceland, March 16, 2024. (Holdor Corbeins/AFP via Getty Images)
Icelandic police declared a state of emergency in the area, and civil defense officials said they had sent a helicopter to investigate the extent of the eruption.
The luxury geothermal spa Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most popular tourist destinations, has been closed following news of the explosion.
“We have evacuated and temporarily closed all operations,” Blue Lagoon said on its website. “We will be closed until Sunday 17th March. Further updates and information will be provided here as they become available.”
Photos of the eruption showed large plumes of smoke and lava around Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula.
On March 16, 2024, the sky turns orange as lava pours out of a fissure on the Reykjanes peninsula north of the evacuated town of Grindavik in western Iceland. Lava erupted from a new volcanic fissure on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula on Saturday. This is Iceland’s fourth eruption. Officials say it has hit the area since December. (Holdor Corbeins/AFP via Getty Images)
Residents of the town have been evacuated since November after a series of volcanic eruptions.
“Prioritizing the safety of residents, the town was evacuated on November 10 as a precautionary measure. Evacuation will continue until seismic activity subsides,” the agency said.
Icelandic volcanic eruption monitoring: Officials may receive ’30-minute notice’
This is the fourth eruption in recent months, with the first occurring on December 18, the second on January 14, and the third on February 8.
Lava erupted from a fissure in a new volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula on Saturday, the fourth eruption to hit the region since December, authorities said. (Holdor Corbeins/AFP via Getty Images)
Situated atop a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, Iceland experiences eruptions on average every four to five years.
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The country has more than 30 active volcanoes.
