The outbreak began at 9:45 a.m. local time (0945 GMT), triggering a warning in the town of Grindawick, with webcams showing molten rocks ejecting into the community. The Icelandic Conference Office said that although the volcano is still active, it has calmed down.
Police and civil defense officials evacuated Grindavik and Blue Lagoon Geotermal Spa, one of Iceland’s largest tourist attractions, a group of early-morning earthquakes suggesting an upcoming eruption.
The community is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula and in November 2023, when the volcano lies in about 800 years, the volcano gradually evacuated.
About 40 homes were evacuated Tuesday, although police reported some residents refused to leave their homes.
“Those who chose to stay in town don’t seem to think I have 50 people involved in this operation, some of whom are volunteers,” said the Southern Iceland Police Commissioner, who told local broadcaster Ruv. “I will ask for more considerations about civil defense.”
Iceland is located above the volcanic hotspots in the North Atlantic Ocean. The most destructive event recently was the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which shrouded ash in the atmosphere and destroyed transatlantic air travel for months.
Tuesday’s eruption will not affect flights.
