A volcano outside the seaside town of Grindavik in Iceland has erupted again, throwing lava more than 160 feet into the air and forcing the evacuation of the town and popular tourist destination Blue Lagoon.
GRINDAVIK, Iceland – Evacuations are underway and a state of emergency declared after a volcano near the seaside town of Grindavík in Iceland erupted Wednesday morning, throwing lava more than 160 feet into the air and opening a fissure more than 2.4 km long.
According to national public broadcaster RÚV, the eruption began just before 1 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET), after hundreds of earthquakes shook the region in recent days.
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In a statement on Facebook, Iceland’s Ministry of Civil Protection and Emergency Management said the magma tunnel was moving closer to Grindavík.
RÚV said Grindavík was evacuated before the eruption, but first responders remained in town.
“The magma intrusion is approaching the town of Grindavik, and responders and others in Grindavík are asked to be prepared to evacuate the town at short notice,” the Facebook announcement said.
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Drone footage recorded on Sunday (April 7) shows lava spewing from a volcanic crater on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. The volcano’s eruption continues north of Grindavik.
The popular tourist destination Blue Lagoon was also evacuated due to the eruption.
“Due to the eruption that started in Sundhnúksgígar on May 29, we have taken precautionary measures by evacuating and temporarily closing all our operational units today,” Blue Lagoon said in a statement.
Authorities are asking people to stay away from lava fountains, and flights in the area have not yet been affected by the eruption.
Scientists say they think lava could soon reach Grindavík, depending on how fast the lava flows.
The volcano has erupted several times since late 2023, forcing the evacuation of the city, as well as the Blue Lagoon, on several occasions.
News Source : www.foxweather.com
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