After weeks of seismic activity, a volcano erupted on Iceland's southwestern Reykjanes peninsula late Monday.
The eruption began north of the town of Grindavík, the country's meteorological office said.
Grindavík was evacuated back in November due to the possibility of an eruption. Earthquakes were recorded a week before the eruption.
Photos and videos posted on the social network X (the former tweet) show fountains of glowing orange and red lava erupting and lighting up the night sky. According to local media, police asked observers not to approach the volcano.
Geophysicist Benedikt Ófeigsson from the Icelandic Meteorological Office said the eruption is taking place in the Sundhnjúka crater. At the moment it is difficult to say whether the infrastructure in Grindavík is at risk.
"An eruption started near Grindavík. We don't know how much damage he can do, - Icelandic President Gudnis Jóhannesson wrote on Facebook. - I emphasize that everyone must follow the orders and instructions of all our civil defense officials."
Grindavík, located about 40 km southwest of the capital Reykjavík, has been expected to erupt for weeks. In November, around 3 local residents were evacuated as a magma tunnel about 700km long runs under the city.
Lina Linkevičiūtė (DPA)
