A volcano erupted in southwest Iceland on Sunday, spewing molten lava flows towards the outskirts of the small fishing town of Grindavik, setting some houses ablaze. The town had been evacuated earlier, ensuring no immediate danger to residents, authorities confirmed.
Fountains of molten rock and smoke erupted from fissures in the ground, extending towards Grindavik. Live video from daily Morgunbladid showed at least one house catching fire. Iceland’s President Gudni Johannesson assured, “No lives are in danger, although infrastructure may be under threat,” emphasising that there were no flight interruptions.
The eruption began north of the town, which had been evacuated for the second time since November due to seismic activity hinting at a potential outbreak. Authorities had constructed barriers to prevent lava from reaching Grindavik, but the recent eruption breached the town’s defences.
President Johannesson shared updates on social media, stating, “No lives are in danger, although infrastructure may be under threat.” The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular attraction, closed as a precaution.
The eruption marked the second in less than a month on the Reykjanes peninsula and the fifth since 2021. Last month, the Svartsengi volcanic system erupted after the complete evacuation of Grindavik’s residents. The Blue Lagoon was closed, leading to a renewed evacuation order for the town on Saturday.
Despite over 100 Grindavik residents returning in recent weeks, the evacuation was deemed necessary. Iceland, known for its more than 30 active volcanoes, attracts volcano tourism. The Reykjanes volcanic systems are not trapped under glaciers, eliminating the potential for ash clouds similar to the 2010 Eyafjallajokull eruptions.
