Volcano erupts in Iceland, triggering evacuation of tourists, residents

Iceland’s meteorological office said that by the afternoon, the volcanic eruptions had subsided but the volcano still remained active, AP reported.

Reykjavik, Iceland with a volcano erupting behind it pic.twitter.com/wy8wENoDu0

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Iceland is referred to as the land of ice and fire due to its multiple glaciers and volcanoes, and now the island nation has witnessed 11 eruptions south of Reykjavik since 2021 as the dormant geological systems have been reactivated after about 800 years.

According to Rikke Pedersen, head of the Nordic Volcanological Center “There is lava coming within the barrier at the moment, but it’s a very limited eruption so far.”

The volcanic eruption is seen in the background near the town of Grindavik, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland. (AP Photo/Marco di Marco)

The civil defense officials and police evacuated Grindavik and Blue Lagoon luxury spa, which is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Iceland ahead of the eruption, upon the warning of geologists.

Police stated that at least 40 homes were evacuated and some people refused to leave their homes.

“Those individuals who choose to remain in the town don’t seem to consider that I have 50 people involved in this operation, some of whom are volunteers,” said Úlfar Lúðvíksson, South Iceland’s police commissioner as quoted by AP.

Experts in the Iceland have predicted that the activity of fissure eruptions, wherein lava spews out of cracks of Earth’s crust, will continue for decades or even centuries.