A volcano erupted in south-west Iceland on Sunday, the 14th of January, spewing lava into the evacuated outskirts of the town of Grindavík and destroying at least three houses. This is the second volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in less than a month and the fifth since 2021, reports Reuters.
Iceland’s President Gudni Johannesson said on the X that no lives are threatened since the town was evacuated overnight, although there might be damages to infrastructure, adding that flights had not been suspended.
A new volcanic eruption began in the early morning just north of Grindavík. The town had already been successfully evacuated overnight and no lives are in danger, although infrastructure may be under threat. No interruptions to flights. For updated information follow @RuvEnglish pic.twitter.com/9mlOiMohC4
— President of Iceland (@PresidentISL) January 14, 2024
The eruption began early on Sunday morning north of the town, which was evacuated due to an imminent eruption because of a fluctuating seismic activity.
In recent weeks, authorities had built earth and rock barriers to prevent lava from reaching Grindavik, about 40 km south-west of the capital Reykjavik, but the eruption has breached the city’s defences.
#Bigbreaking : The lava flow has reached town in #Grindavik and is burning homes. #Grindavik #Iceland #IcelandVolcano #IcelandNews #volcano #Viralnow #ViralVideo #TrendingNow pic.twitter.com/e4ZqwM5vA4
— Look and understand (@31khan_honey) January 15, 2024
Following last month’s eruption in the Svartsengi volcanic system in Grindavík, the town’s 4 000 inhabitants were evacuated, and tourist sites were closed. More than 100 residents had returned to their homes before the evacuation was re-ordered on Saturday, writes Reuters.
Also read: VIDEO | After several weeks of earthquake activity, a volcano in Iceland erupts
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