Iceland volcano erupts weeks after thousands evacuated from Reykjanes Peninsula

A volcanic eruption began Monday night time on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, turning the sky orange and prompting the civil protection to be placed on excessive alert.

The eruption seems to have occurred slightly below two miles from the city of Grindavík, the Icelandic Meteorological Workplace mentioned. Webcam video from the scene seems to point out magma, or semi-molten rock, spewing alongside the ridge of a hill.

Iceland’s Division of Civil Safety and Emergency Administration confirmed the eruption shortly after 11 p.m. native time and mentioned it had activated its civil safety emergency response.

In November, police evacuated the city of Grindavik after sturdy seismic exercise within the space broken properties and raised fears of an imminent eruption.

Hundreds of earthquakes struck Iceland that month, as researchers discovered proof that magma was rising to the floor, and meteorologists had been warning {that a} volcanic explosion might happen any time on the Reykjanes Peninsula. 

A coast guard helicopter will try to verify the precise location — and measurement — of the eruption.

Grindavik, a fishing city of three,400, sits on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 31 miles southwest of the capital, Reykjavik and never removed from Keflavik Airport, Iceland’s essential facility for worldwide flights. The close by Blue Lagoon geothermal resort, one in all Iceland’s prime vacationer sights, has been shut a minimum of till the top of November due to the volcano hazard.