Volcano erupts in southwest Iceland

A volcano erupted in southwest Iceland, making it the fifth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since 2021. Authorities said that a coast guard helicopter has been sent to assess the situation and the exact location of the eruption which began north of the fishing town of Grindavik. The country's meteorological office said it is still unclear where the lava was emerging from or in which direction it was flowing. 

The last eruption on the peninsula started in the Svartsengi volcanic system on the 18th of December last



year which prompted the complete evacuation of the town of Grindavik's 4,000 inhabitants. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular tourist spot, was also closed then. 

The lava flowed in a different direction from Grindavik. Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hot spot as it lies between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, two of the largest on the planet. The two plates move in opposite directions resulting in much of the activity in the region.