Latest news with #Icelandic
USA Today
22 minutes ago
- USA Today
Volcano erupts in Iceland spewing wall of lava: See photos
An Icelandic volcano erupted early Wednesday, spewing a bright red wall of lava in a region known for high seismic activity. The eruption began in the early morning hours of July 16, on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row in the Reykjanes Peninsula of southwestern Iceland about 30 miles southwest from the capital, Reykjavik. It's the ninth eruption in the area since December 2023, officials said, and has prompted evacuations of a nearby town and the geothermal tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon. As of Wednesday afternoon local time, there were no reports of immediate threats to nearby structures, though officials have warned of gas pollution and fine glass fibers emitted from the Sundhnúkur volcano's eruption. The Icelandic Meteorological Office first reported at 1:20 a.m. local time of an "intense seismic swarm" on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row, and that magma had begun to intrude into an area of rock, heightening the chance of an eruption. A little over 2.5 hours later at about 5 a.m., scientists noted the eruption began, which has since grown to more than one single fissure after a second one opened west of Fagradalsfjall, measuring about 1,600 feet. Last Reykjanes Eruption in April: Volcano erupts in Iceland, forcing evacuation of tourists and residents Photos display volcano eruption in Iceland Volcano eruption prompts evacuation, residents ordered to stay inside Officials noted the eruptive fissure about a half a mile long a little over an hour after the eruption started, growing to just under 1.5 miles long several hours later according to updates at noon local time. Residents in the area have been advised by meteorological officials to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and turn off ventilation systems to avoid gas pollution risk. There have been reports of so-called "witch's hair" drifting in the wind, the office says, which are fine glass fibers formed when lava droplets cool rapidly and stretch, causing skin and eye irritation. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service has reported that about 200 guests were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon, and a police commissioner in Suðurnes said the evacuation of Grindavík included about 100 individuals. The government in a July 16 statement advised travelers in the area to monitor air quality, with conditions posted here, and noted that the eruption area is closed to the public for safety reasons. According to Iceland's Department of Civil Protection and Response, the eruption has no impact on other parts of the Reykjanes Peninsula or the rest of Iceland, including Reykjavík. Flights to and from Iceland are operating on schedule, the department said, and the Ring Road (Route 1) remains open. Updates are available via the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, as well as official government channels. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
Toronto Sun
22 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Southwestern Iceland volcano erupts, prompting evacuation of campsite and geothermal spa
Published Jul 16, 2025 • 1 minute read Handout picture released on July 16, 2025 by the Public Defense Department of the State Police Commissioner in Iceland shows lava and smoke erupting from a volcano near Grindavik on the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes. Photo by HANDOUT / Public Defense Department of the LONDON (AP) — A volcanic eruption in southwestern Iceland has once again forced the evacuation of tourists at the internationally known Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, the national broadcaster RUV reported. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 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. A campsite in the town of Grindavik was evacuated shortly after the seismic activity began. Guests at the Blue Lagoon were forced to quickly pack their bags, RUV reported. Tourists standing near a memorial in Keflavik, Iceland on July 16, 2025, observe from a distance smoke emanating from a volcano near Grindavik on the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes following its eruption. Photo by HALLDOR KOLBEINS / AFP via Getty Images 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 repeatedly affected by the activity since November 2023 when a volcano in the area came to life after lying dormant for some 800 years. But authorities said Wednesday it is not in danger. Crime Entertainment Sunshine Girls NFL Canada
eNCA
24 minutes ago
- eNCA
Iceland volcano erupts for ninth 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. The weather agency later in the day reported that the main fissure was estimated to be 2.4 kilometres long, and that a second smaller fissure, about 500 metres long, had opened up nearby. Due to high levels of gas pollution in the air, residents were advised to stay indoors. Broadcaster RUV reported that the nearby fishing village Grindavik had been evacuated, as had the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's famed tourist spot. Police Commissioner Margret Kristin Palsdottir, told the broadcaster that the evacuation of the some 100 people staying in the village had gone smoothly. Palsdottir also said they had prevented some tourists from entering the area. "Of course, we understand that this is a fascinating event, especially for tourists who are not as accustomed to it as we are," Palsdottir said. Geophysicist Benedikt Ofeigsson told RUV that the eruption didn't seem as big as earlier ones and was in a good location as it wasn't near any infrastructure. The previous eruption to hit the area was in April, and a risk assessment published on Tuesday didn't expect another eruption until this autumn. When the first volcanic eruption first hit the area in late 2023, most of Grindavik's 4,000 residents were evacuated. 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. Public Defense Department of the State Police/AFP | Handout Volcanologists have warned in recent years that volcanic activity in the region had entered a new era. RUV said the latest eruption was not expected to impact international flights. A volcanic eruption in another part of Iceland in 2010 caused worldwide travel chaos as the ash spewed into the atmosphere sparked airspace closures in Europe. Iceland is home to 33 active volcanic systems, more than any other European country. It is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a fault in the ocean floor that separates the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates and causes earthquakes and eruptions.
Int'l Business Times
an hour ago
- Int'l Business Times
Iceland Volcano Erupts For Ninth 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). The weather agency later in the day reported that the main fissure was estimated to be 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) long, and that a second smaller fissure, about 500 metres long, had opened up nearby. Due to high levels of gas pollution in the air, residents were advised to stay indoors. Broadcaster RUV reported that the nearby fishing village Grindavik had been evacuated, as had the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's famed tourist spot. Police Commissioner Margret Kristin Palsdottir, told the broadcaster that the evacuation of the some 100 people staying in the village had gone smoothly. Palsdottir also said they had prevented some tourists from entering the area. "Of course, we understand that this is a fascinating event, especially for tourists who are not as accustomed to it as we are," Palsdottir said. Geophysicist Benedikt Ofeigsson told RUV that the eruption didn't seem as big as earlier ones and was in a good location as it wasn't near any infrastructure. The previous eruption to hit the area was in April, and a risk assessment published on Tuesday didn't expect another eruption until this autumn. When the first volcanic eruption first hit the area in late 2023, most of Grindavik's 4,000 residents were evacuated. 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. Volcanologists have warned in recent years that volcanic activity in the region had entered a new era. RUV said the latest eruption was not expected to impact international flights. A volcanic eruption in another part of Iceland in 2010 caused worldwide travel chaos as the ash spewed into the atmosphere sparked airspace closures in Europe. Iceland is home to 33 active volcanic systems, more than any other European country. It is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a fault in the ocean floor that separates the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates and causes earthquakes and eruptions. Iceland is home to 33 active volcanic systems, more than any other European country AFP
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Icelandic volcano erupts, forcing tourists to evacuate famous geothermal spa
A volcanic eruption in Iceland forced tourists to evacuate the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa on Wednesday as images captured lava flowing through a fissure in the Earth's surface. 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. "In an abundance of caution, the town of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon were successfully evacuated," Iceland's government said. "Travelers in the area are advised to monitor air quality, as gas pollution from the eruption site may occur." Lava from the eruption is flowing southeast from a fissure in the barren landscape that is 2,296 to 3,280 feet wide, according to the Met Office. Grindavik has been repeatedly affected by volcanic activity since November 2023 when a volcano in the area came to life after lying dormant for some 800 years. "Air traffic to and from Iceland is unaffected, and Iceland remains open and safe for tourists. This volcanic activity is highly localized and has no impact on infrastructure or attractions across the rest of Iceland," the country's government said. It described volcanic activity as a "fact of life in Iceland, and Icelanders have learned to live with its drawbacks and considerable advantages, such as geothermal energy." "The Icelandic Meteorological Office, The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, and a team of scientists from the University of Iceland closely monitor and analyze developments relating [to] seismic activities," it also said. Officials said there have been a dozen volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula dating back to 2021. "There is no way of accurately predicting whether, where, or when seismic activity may result in a volcanic eruption or the possible size of such an eruption, but they are closely monitored and constantly evaluated based on the best scientific data available," Iceland's government said. "Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge, making it one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. Regular seismic events are a characteristic feature of Icelandic geology, ranging from minor tremors to significant earthquakes," it added. "Seismic activity in Iceland is often due to magma movement beneath the earth's crust. It may sometimes result in magma seeking the easiest path to the surface and becoming a volcanic eruption."
