Iceland hit by sixth volcanic eruption since December
A new volcanic eruption has occurred on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula, marking the sixth eruption in the region since December.
The eruption began on August 22, sending hot lava spewing into the air from a long fissure, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO).
Live footage captured by local media showed streams of orange lava illuminating the night sky as thick smoke billowed upwards.
The eruption, which started at 9:26 pm (2126 GMT) on the Sundhnuksgigarod, was preceded by a series of earthquakes, the IMO reported.
While the full extent of the fissure remains unassessed, this latest eruption comes just two months after the previous one, which lasted more than three weeks. The Reykjanes peninsula, located in southwestern Iceland, has become increasingly active after remaining dormant for eight centuries until a significant eruption in March 2021, the AFP reports.
Authorities have begun evacuating the nearby fishing village of Grindavik as a precaution, similar to previous eruptions. The number of residents currently in the area remains unknown.
