Latest news with #Iceland
Emirates 24/7
an hour ago
- Emirates 24/7
Iceland volcano erupts for 12th time since 2021
A volcano erupted in south-west Iceland on Wednesday, the country's meteorological office said, marking the latest in a series of outbreaks near the capital in recent years. Often referred to as a land of ice and fire, the North Atlantic island nation with its many glaciers and volcanoes has now seen a dozen eruptions since geological systems on its Reykjanes peninsula reactivated in 2021. The outbreaks, known as fissure eruptions, are characterised by lava flows emerging from long cracks in the earth's crust, rather than from a central crater. The Reykjanes eruptions have not so far posed a threat to the capital Reykjavik, nor have they caused significant dispersals of ash into the stratosphere, avoiding air traffic disruption. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Iceland volcano live: Hotels and Blue Lagoon evacuated as eruption sends clouds of gas towards Grindivik
A volcano on Iceland 's Reykjanes Peninsula erupted again on Wednesday, spewing lava and smoke into the air in what officials say is the twelfth eruption in the region since 2021. Authorities have evacuated families, hotel guests, and tourists from Grindavík, the nearby Blue Lagoon resort, and other surrounding areas as a precaution. The eruption in the Sundhnúkur volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which began early Wednesday, is the 12th since volcanic activity reawakened in the region in 2021. According to Iceland's meteorological office, magma forced through the crust opened a fissure between 700 and 1,000m long. '(It does) not threaten any infrastructure at this time,' the office said, adding that GPS and deformation data suggest it was a relatively small eruption. Grindavík, which once housed nearly 4,000 people, was evacuated last year and remains largely empty due to ongoing volcanic risk. Despite the dramatic lava flows, no disruption to flights at Keflavík airport has been reported. The eruption is the latest in a growing sequence of volcanic events on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which began when dormant systems were reactivated in 2021 after centuries of silence. Stuti Mishra16 July 2025 09:06
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Southwestern Iceland volcano erupts, prompting evacuation of town and geothermal spa
LONDON (AP) — A volcanic eruption in southwestern Iceland has once again forced the evacuation of local residents and the internationally known Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, the national broadcaster RUV reported. The eruption began around 4 a.m. following an intense seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, Iceland's Met Office said. The town of Grindavik was evacuated shortly after the seismic activity began, with campers and guests at the Blue Lagoon forced to quickly pack their bags, RUV reported. Lava from the eruption is flowing southeast from a fissure in the barren landscape that is 700 to 1,000 meters (2,296 to 3,280 feet) wide, but the molten rock isn't threatening any infrastructure, the Met Office said. Grindavik has been evacuated repeatedly since November 2023 when a volcano in the area came to life after lying dormant for some 800 years.
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iceland Volcano Erupts for 9th Time Since 2023
A volcano erupted on Wednesday in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest, weather authorities said, the ninth eruption to hit the region since the end of 2023. Live video feeds showed lava spewing out of a fissure in the ground, with the Icelandic Met Office saying that it began just before 4:00 am (0400 GMT). Broadcaster RUV reported that the nearby fishing village Grindavik had been evacuated, as had the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's famed tourist spot. The previous eruption to hit the area was in April. When the first volcanic eruption first hit the area in late 2023, most of Grindavik's 4,000 residents were evacuated, AFP reported. Since then, almost all of the houses have been sold to the state, and most of the residents have left. Volcanoes on the Reykjanes peninsula had not erupted for eight centuries when in March 2021 a period of heightened seismic activity began.
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Blue Lagoon spa evacuated over volcanic eruption risk
A volcano on Iceland 's Reykjanes Peninsula erupted on Wednesday, marking the twelfth such event in the region since 2021. The eruption prompted fresh evacuations from the nearby town of Grindavík, a luxury hotel, and the popular Blue Lagoon spa. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported that magma opened a fissure estimated to be between 700 and 1,000 metres long, characterising it as a relatively small fissure eruption. Authorities stated the eruption does not currently threaten any infrastructure, and flights at Keflavík airport, located 20km away, were unaffected. Experts warn that this is part of a new volcanic cycle, suggesting the Reykjanes Peninsula could face periodic eruptions for decades or even centuries.
