A volcano erupted in southwest Iceland near Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon spa, forcing evacuations as lava and smoke spread.

The eruption created a 1.2 km fissure and followed multiple earthquakes. Protective barriers were breached, and a hot water pipe broke, signaling significant ground shifts.

Most residents had already evacuated in 2023 due to ongoing volcanic threats.

While activity eased by the afternoon, gas pollution is expected to reach the capital, the BBC has reported.

The eruption is part of a renewed volcanic cycle on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which last saw prolonged activity 800 years ago.

Written by B.C. Begley