A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Thursday evening, marking the sixth eruption in the region since December. The eruption, which occurred on the Reykjanes Peninsula, resulted in the spewing of red lava through a new fissure at the Sundhnúkur crater. The event was preceded by a series of strong earthquakes, with a 4-kilometer fissure opening up shortly after 9 p.m.
Authorities in Iceland have reported that the effects of the eruption are currently localized, leading to road closures but not posing a threat to the population. Unlike previous eruptions, the lava flow from this event is not heading towards the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated in December when the volcano became active after 800 years of dormancy.
Geophysicists have indicated that the situation is not likely to escalate further towards Grindavik, providing some reassurance to residents. The eruption has attracted hundreds of curious onlookers, turning it into a key tourism attraction in the area.
While the eruption has fascinated visitors, it has caused frustration for those living and working on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The repeated volcanic activity has damaged infrastructure, property, and forced residents to relocate for safety reasons. The recent eruption led to the evacuation of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular tourist destination in Iceland.
Iceland, known for its volcanic activity due to its location above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, experiences eruptions every four to five years on average. The current eruption is not expected to impact air travel, unlike the disruptive 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano that caused widespread disruption to trans-Atlantic air travel for months.
