A new volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwestern Iceland has prompted mass evacuations, authorities say. The eruption began on the Sundhnuksgigarod fissure, spewing hot lava into the air and causing considerable seismic activity. The fissure, initially estimated at 1.4 kilometers, extended to 3.9 kilometers within 40 minutes, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office. Most of the 4,000 residents of the nearby fishing village of Grindavik had already evacuated last November, and only a few remain overnight due to the frequent eruptions. Despite the volcanic activity, flights to and from Iceland are operating normally, according to Isavia, the national airport service provider. The Reykjanes peninsula has experienced multiple eruptions since 2021 after being dormant for eight centuries. This is the sixth eruption since December 2023, leading volcanologists to warn of a new era of seismic activity in the region. Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, making it prone to volcanic activity due to the separation of tectonic plate.
Stan Stewart aka muz4now
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