Volcanic eruption begins in Iceland near Gryndovik

The volcanic eruption began on the Reykjanese Peninsula in the southwest of Iceland.

Iceland’s meteorological office said the eruption started around 09.45 local time (10:45 BST) north of the small city of Gryndovik. In less than an hour, the crack opened in the ground was 700 meters wide (2296 feet) and continued to grow.

The eruption occurred after hundreds of earthquakes got into an area known as Sundhnúks Crater Row around 6:30 local time.

Both Grindovik, and neighboring Spa Blue Lagoon, a popular tourist point, has already been ordered to evacuate in anticipation of the eruption. Roads heading to the city remain closed, but the flights are currently not affected.

As of 11:00 local time, the Iceland (IMO) meteorological office said that the initial crack continued south and a new crack opened.

Officials urged any people who stayed in Grindovik to leave. Earlier on Tuesday, several people refused to obey the evacuation order, Icelandic media reported.

The police chief of the region, úlfar lúðvíksson, told local media that only about 40 houses were occupied by residents after previous volcanic activity.

Most of the 4,000 residents of Gryndavik were constantly evacuated in November 2023, until the eruption in December 2023 and January, February and March 2024.

The length of the current Magma tunnel formed in the Crater series in the area is about 11 km (6.8 miles) – the longest one, which has been measured since November 11, 2023, IMO reports.

Based on the current wind direction, gas pollution will be northeast to the capital, Imo added.

There have been several eruptions on the Reyknez Peninsula since 2021.

The last time the peninsula was a period of volcanic activity, it was 800 years ago – and the eruptions continued for decades.

Iceland has 33 active volcano systems and is sitting on what is known as the Atlantic Range, the border between the two largest tectonic plates on the planet.