A volcano erupted south of Iceland’s capital on Tuesday, sending lava and smoke into the sky that forced evacuations but did not disrupt air traffic.
The eruption, near the fishing town of Grindavik, breached protective barriers designed to shield the area from lava flows, prompting authorities to evacuate residents and tourists, including those at the nearby Blue Lagoon luxury spa.
Most homes in Grindavik had already been abandoned following previous eruptions.
This marks the 11th eruption south of Reykjavik since 2021, when dormant geological systems reactivated after some 800 years. Iceland, known as the "land of ice and fire" for its glaciers and volcanoes, sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling apart.
The latest eruption follows a similar event in January 2024 that damaged homes and roads in Grindavik. Although some residents had returned since then, authorities moved quickly to evacuate those still in the area.
Despite the lava flow, the eruption has not resulted in significant ash dispersal into the stratosphere, allowing air traffic to continue unaffected.
In 2010, an eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano sent massive ash clouds into the atmosphere. The resulting air travel disruption affected over 20 countries and millions of passengers, leading to revised international airspace regulations.
Iceland, home to nearly 400,000 people, attracts thousands of tourists each year drawn by its geysers, hot springs, and volcanic landscapes.
Most homes in Grindavik had already been abandoned following previous eruptions.
This marks the 11th eruption south of Reykjavik since 2021, when dormant geological systems reactivated after some 800 years. Iceland, known as the "land of ice and fire" for its glaciers and volcanoes, sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling apart.
The latest eruption follows a similar event in January 2024 that damaged homes and roads in Grindavik. Although some residents had returned since then, authorities moved quickly to evacuate those still in the area.
Despite the lava flow, the eruption has not resulted in significant ash dispersal into the stratosphere, allowing air traffic to continue unaffected.
In 2010, an eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano sent massive ash clouds into the atmosphere. The resulting air travel disruption affected over 20 countries and millions of passengers, leading to revised international airspace regulations.
Iceland, home to nearly 400,000 people, attracts thousands of tourists each year drawn by its geysers, hot springs, and volcanic landscapes.
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