A volcano south of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, erupted on Tuesday. It marks the eighth to hit the region since the end of 2023.

The dramatic eruption, with lava and smoke, has forced the evacuation of residents and tourists in areas around Sundhnuksgigar, including the popular Blue Lagoon spa and the fishing town of Grindavik. A red alert has also been issued for the area, which is being battered hundreds of small earthquakes. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said “an eruption has started on the Sundhnuksgigar Crater Row”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faH3xrKyP_o

Footage from afarTV’s livestream, which has monitoring cameras stationed near the site, shows streams of lava pouring from the fissure, as well as pools bubbling away in the background. 

According to local police, about 40 homes in Grindavik were occupied at the time of the evacuation.

However, a local news site reported that rescue workers were threatened by people who did not want to leave the town. They are said to have been threatened with a gun. Helena Rós Sturludóttir, communications director for the National Police, confirmed in an interview with the news agency that rescue workers were threatened with a firearm and that the National Police Special Unit was called in. No more further information is available at this time.

Eight individuals refused to leave Grindavik this morning and decided to stay behind. Úlfar Lúðvíksson, the police chief in Suðurnes, said the police are not forcing people to evacuate and it is known that some people take this position on evacuation.

Helga Árnadóttir, a hotel manager in the area, said guests had to be woken up as soon as it became clear a magma shower had begun.

“Emergency responders in Grindavík have reported that earthquakes can be felt in the town, and signs of deformation are also visible there, suggesting that fault movements could occur within the town itself,” added the Meteorological Office. The “earthquake swarm” began in the early morning in a similar fashion to previous earthquakes. 

Iceland is home to some 33 active volcanic systems, more than any other country in Europe.

The most disruptive eruption in recent times occured in 2010, when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano spewed clouds of ash into the atmosphere and caused many months of trans-Atlantic air travel disruption. 

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