After weeks of seismic activity, a volcano located on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula erupted last night, opening a spectacular 4 kilometers long fissure, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
The eruption began at 10pm Monday night, approximately an hour after an earthquake.
The Office notes that the eruption is 3 kilometers north of Grindavik, close to the town of Hagafell. Grindavik was evacuated last month and residents of other nearby towns were told they could not stay in their homes overnight.
Grindavik is a well-known tourist town due to its proximity to the country’s famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Authorities have noted that the eruption isn’t expected to directly impact the town but large amounts of toxic gases are being released.
In 2021, Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall erupted for six months following around 40,000 earthquakes. But one of the most memorable eruptions over the past few decades was the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull which led to the cancellation of over 95,ooo flights across Europe over the span of 6 days.
