A volcano erupted on Monday evening in Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula after weeks of earthquakes, prompting the evacuation of thousands of people from Grindavik as a precaution. The country had been on standby since October when earthquake activity was first detected, and this eruption marks the fourth time this particular volcano has erupted in 2021, making it the largest eruption so far.
Dramatic images from southwest Iceland showed lava spewing into the air and massive cracks in the ground, attracting groups of locals and tourists who gathered to witness the spectacle. However, the Icelandic government and police have urged people not to travel towards the eruption site for their own safety and to avoid disrupting traffic and emergency responders.
Prior to the eruption, residents of Grindavik were evacuated but were allowed to return briefly to retrieve belongings before the area was sealed off. It may be months before residents are allowed to return permanently. Additionally, the popular tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon, has been entirely closed due to the volcanic eruption.
Despite the volcanic activity, flights to and from Iceland remain unaffected, with international flight corridors remaining open. The Icelandic government emphasized the importance of safety and urged the public to stay away from the eruption site to allow emergency responders and scientists to assess the situation. Locals and tourists have been sharing videos and photos of the eruption on social media, expressing amazement at the natural phenomenon.