Volcano erupts in Iceland spewing wall of lava: See photos
The eruption began in the early morning hours of July 16, on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row in the Reykjanes Peninsula of southwestern Iceland about 30 miles southwest from the capital, Reykjavik. It's the ninth eruption in the area since December 2023, officials said, and has prompted evacuations of a nearby town and the geothermal tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon.
As of Wednesday afternoon local time, there were no reports of immediate threats to nearby structures, though officials have warned of gas pollution and fine glass fibers emitted from the Sundhnúkur volcano's eruption.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office first reported at 1:20 a.m. local time of an "intense seismic swarm" on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row, and that magma had begun to intrude into an area of rock, heightening the chance of an eruption. A little over 2.5 hours later at about 5 a.m., scientists noted the eruption began, which has since grown to more than one single fissure after a second one opened west of Fagradalsfjall, measuring about 1,600 feet.
Last Reykjanes Eruption in April: Volcano erupts in Iceland, forcing evacuation of tourists and residents
Photos display volcano eruption in Iceland
Volcano eruption prompts evacuation, residents ordered to stay inside
Officials noted the eruptive fissure about a half a mile long a little over an hour after the eruption started, growing to just under 1.5 miles long several hours later according to updates at noon local time.
Residents in the area have been advised by meteorological officials to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and turn off ventilation systems to avoid gas pollution risk. There have been reports of so-called "witch's hair" drifting in the wind, the office says, which are fine glass fibers formed when lava droplets cool rapidly and stretch, causing skin and eye irritation.
The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service has reported that about 200 guests were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon, and a police commissioner in Suðurnes said the evacuation of Grindavík included about 100 individuals.
The government in a July 16 statement advised travelers in the area to monitor air quality, with conditions posted here, and noted that the eruption area is closed to the public for safety reasons.
According to Iceland's Department of Civil Protection and Response, the eruption has no impact on other parts of the Reykjanes Peninsula or the rest of Iceland, including Reykjavík. Flights to and from Iceland are operating on schedule, the department said, and the Ring Road (Route 1) remains open. Updates are available via the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, as well as official government channels.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.
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