A volcano in Iceland has erupted for the fourth time, triggering a state of emergency in the country.
Iceland has seen a series of volcano eruptions since December on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Lava from the eruption reached the small fishing town of Grindavík.
Photos from the area show clouds of orange smoke and magma spreading. Police have declared a state of emergency and the town’s inhabitants, who have only recently been allowed to return a month ago after an eruption occurred in February, have had to evacuate once again.
According to the Icelandic Met Office (IMO), a volcanic eruption began on Saturday, March 16 between Mt. Stóra-Skógafel and Hagafell. By Sunday, March 17, a large flow of lava was seen heading south-east, reaching the barriers for Grindavík.
In the latest update, the IMO said the flow has “slowed substantially” – however, the eruption has not ended.
Located between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates, among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hotspot because the two plates move in opposite directions.
Is it safe to travel to Iceland?
The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice following the latest eruption to warn tourists to stay away from the area.
Travellers are warned that Iceland is still “seismically active”, and “no travel can be guaranteed safe”.
On the government’s website, travellers are told: “All roads to Grindavík and the surrounding area are closed and you should stay away from this area.”
However, Keflavik International Airport remains functional and unaffected as does the capital city, Reykjavik, and the rest of Iceland, although “the likelihood of further eruptions in this location remains high”.
If you're planning a trip to Iceland, you're advised to monitor local media for updates and follow authorities’ advice for safe travel.
