Iceland volcano Sundhnúkur erupts as families and tourists evacuated
Families and tourists have been evacuated from towns - and a luxury hotel - as a volcano has erupted in Iceland again this morning.
Magma poured out of the Sundhnúkur volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula, near the fishing town of Grindavík,. The Icelandic Meteorological Office says the eruption - the volcano's ninth since December 2023 - happened in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday, July 16, after the mass evacuation.
The National Police Commissioner has decided, in consultation with the Police Commissioner in Suðurnes, to raise the Civil Protection alert level to the highest level as the likelihood of an eruption at the Sundhnúk crater has increased, reports the Mirror.
This was revealed in a statement from the Communications Director of Civil Protection. The earthquake cluster is located between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell, and is in a similar area to the beginning of magma flows in previous events, like April this year.
The Blue Lagoon Iceland - a five-star hotel resort popular with Brit holidymakers - and a local campsite were evacuated, as was most of the town of Grindavík. Local media reports cops are driving around town, to check on local residents and encourage them to leave their homes in case of an eruption.
But when the same volcano erupted in April, some stubborn residents refused to leave their homes. Authorities pleaded with them to do so for their own safety.
Gas pollution is spreading from the eruption sites to the northwest towards Vogar and Reykjanesbraut, where locals are asked to close windows and regularly monitor the air quality on the Icelandic Meteorological Office website. Pollution forecasts can also be viewed on the site.
Experts say the fissure is between 700 and 1000 metres wide and does not appear to be getting longer as the lava flow appears to be most concentrated to the southeast.
Benedikt Ófeigsson, a geophysicist and head of deformation measurements at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, has moved to reassure communities - but said things could change quickly.
He said: "This is not a major event at the moment. It's a small volume and we're not seeing any signs that the tremors are getting shallower, as things stand now.
"There is always some seismic activity, but nothing extreme, it hasn't been particularly increasing."
Ms Sigurðardóttir, the natural hazard expert at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, says the location of the eruption is favorable as the eruption will not threaten any infrastructure and is far away from Grindavík town.
There is only a possibility that lava flows from the eruption could damage the Grindavík road near Stora-Skógfell, but only if the eruption lasts a long time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful UK beach with crystal-clear water unleashes brutal £100 warning
A popular stretch of coast renowned for its sugar-like sand and cobalt waters is cracking down on two common tourist activities - which now risk fines of up to £100 or £1,000 if you're taken to court A 'glorious' slice of the UK coast has unveiled a major tourist clampdown ahead of the busy summer holidays. Situated in the idyllic Dorset National Landscape, and boasting four miles of pristine beach framed by rugged dunes and lush cliffs, lies the acclaimed Studland Bay. Often touted as a 'tropical paradise' due to its sugar-like sand and crystal-clear waters, the hotspot wouldn't look out of place if it moved over to the picturesque Caribbean. The bay comprises of four beaches: Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, South Beach, and Middle Beach, all of which have been managed by the National Trust since 1982. But, earlier this year - the Mirror reported on how Dorset Council was mulling over two new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle issues such as wildfires and anti-social behaviour. Now, Dorset Council has confirmed the extension of its current PSPOs, which will be in place for another three years. These orders clamp down on drinking alcohol in public places, feeding gulls, overnight camping on beaches, lighting of fires and BBQs on open land, as well as 'aggressive begging'. The council has also extended the overnight camping ban to include Studland Beach, in a move to 'protect the sensitive coastal environment'. Tourists found breaking this rule could be fined up to £100. It has also expanded restrictions on lighting fires and BBQs to cover additional areas of heathland and forest across Dorset. Again, flouting this PSPO can result in a hefty penalty. If you pay the fixed penalty notice, the offence is discharged and no further action is taken. However, if the fixed penalty notice is not paid, you may be liable on summary conviction in a Magistrates Court to a fine not exceeding £1,000. "Renewing our existing PSPOs means continuing the important safeguards that have been in place for several years—protections our residents have told us they value," said Councillor Gill Taylor. "In addition to these renewals, we're introducing two new Orders: one to help preserve the natural beauty and tranquillity of Studland Beach, and another to protect our rare heathland habitats, which are home to some of the UK's most endangered wildlife. "Dorset should be an enjoyable place for our residents and visitors alike. By working with our partners, these Orders help us to deal with a small minority of people who can spoil it for others." Shaun Milton of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, also welcomed the move - reminding Brits of the 'devastating' Wareham Forest fire in 2020 which destroyed more than 220 hectares of forest and heathland. This is the equivalent of more than 230 football pitches. "Preventing fires before they start is the most effective way to protect lives, property, and the environment," he added.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits travelling with children this summer warned over crucial document
Legal expert have urged Brits travelling abroad with their kids not to forget one key document this summer - or risk facing 'unwanted disruption' before they board the plane Parents have been urged to bring one key document with them when travelling abroad this summer, or risk being turned away at the airport. The school holidays are rapidly approaching, meaning millions of Brits will be getting ready to jet off for some much-needed Vitamin D. If you're heading abroad with your kids, you'll inevitably already have a long list of essentials to pack - from spare clothes to games and lots of suncream. However, experts over at law firm Richard Nelson LLP have warned that divorced /separated parents should also bring an important letter with them to avoid any 'unwanted disruptions'. Having one common drink on holiday could make you sick warns expert In a statement sent to the Mirror, the firm explained that for a child to be taken abroad, all people with parental responsibility need to agree to the decision. Mothers are automatically granted parental responsibility at birth, while fathers acquire parental responsibility upon marriage. It's not widely known, but taking a child abroad without permission is actually classed as child abduction - a serious offence. "With that in mind, a consent letter from the non-travelling parent is critical," the experts said. "[This is] a signed letter which provides proof that your ex-partner has agreed to you holidaying abroad should you ever be challenged while travelling. " The letter should include the other parent's contact details as well as information about you're holiday, including the address of your accommodation. If your child has a different surname from you, the letter must also explain this. However, if you've not been able to get permission from your child's other parents to take them abroad, you may have to seek permission from a court. "If you're relying on a court order to take your child abroad it's imperative to allow as much time as possible for the case to be heard," warned Ann Owens, consultant solicitor at Richard Nelson LLP. "While you can request an urgent court order these can take more than a week to go through the courts. For those who have been successful in gaining permission this way then you must travel with a sealed copy of the Court Order with you." Ann explained that border officials may ask for proof of your legal right to take the child abroad at the airport. "If you can't provide it, you may be turned away at customs," she added. The legal firm also advised bringing your child's birth or adoption certificate with you to be safe, to provide additional proof of your relation to the kid. If you do have a different last name from your child due to a divorce or new marriage, it may also be wise to bring your divorce or marriage certificate along with you as well. Of course, travelling with all of your family's passports is a must too. "While, like the UK, many countries have the legal age of adulthood standing at 18, some have it set as older or younger," said. "It is important to check the age of adult responsibility in the location you are holidaying in. For instance, you may also need documents for a 19-year-old child when travelling to some Canadian territories."
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Having one common drink on holiday could make you sick, expert warns
Ahead of the fast-approaching summer holidays, travel experts have warned that a popular beverage loved by Brits could lead to a slew of nasty side-effects including bloating, cramps and nausea Brits have been warned about one popular beverage that could make them ill when abroad - and it's not tap water. With the summer holidays just around the corner, swathes of UK households will be packing their bags for a week or two in the sun. Despite the cost-of-living crisis continuing to hit cash-strapped Brits hard, research from found that more than half (55 per cent) of us are planning an overseas holiday this year. If you have children that are still in school, you'll have little choice but to jet off during the summer months - despite travel agents ramping up their prices. The upside to this is that you're almost guaranteed constant sunshine and scorching temperatures. But, whether you're flocking to the party-mad hotspot of Benidorm - or the tropical delights of Thailand - falling ill can completely ruin your holiday. While most Brits are extra cautious about tap water or ice when abroad, many don't think twice about consuming milk. In a statement sent to the Mirror, Jessie Chambers from Global Work & Travel warns that unlike the fresh dairy milk that is abundant in the UK, many popular tourist destinations use UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) milk instead. This beverage is made by processing milk at 135C for several seconds, killing bacteria but also altering the milk's structure. It's designed to give the quickly-expiring product a long shelf life that can survive in hot climates. But adding it to your tea or coffee could lead to some nasty side-effects. "We get so many travellers saying they felt 'off' after a coffee or hotel breakfast, assuming it was the food," the travel expert said. "But in reality, they've just had a strong dose of UHT milk, which can trigger digestive issues, especially if you've got a sensitive stomach." While many Brits will be absolutely fine with drinking UHT milk, especially in such small quantities, Global Work & Travel says it could lead to symptoms such as bloating, cramps and nausea if you have IBS or gut sensitivities. Often, this is mistaken for food poisoning. Jessie therefore advises Brits to ask hotel or restaurant staff whether they have fresh milk, or only use UHT. If you're staying in self-catering accommodation, it's worth looking for labels such as 'UHT' or 'Ultra-Heat Treated' when picking up a bottle of milk from the supermarket. Even if it is stored in the fridge, you still might be accidentally picking up UHT milk instead of its fresh counterpart. If you're extremely sensitive to lactose or have a dodgy stomach, it could be worth skipping the milk altogether. The pro also warns against drinking unlabelled or room-temperature milk unless you're sure it's safe and pasteurised. "A strange-tasting brew might not be bad beans – it could just be shelf-stable milk messing with your gut," Jessie added. "Know what you're drinking – especially in hot climates where milk storage works differently to the UK."
