A volcanic eruption has occurred on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula, near the town of Grindavik, with lava and smoke seen rising dramatically into the sky from the Fagradalsfjall volcano. Despite the eruption's initial intensity, which included a 3.5 km long fissure hurling lava at a rate of 200 cubic meters per second, the Icelandic Met Office has reported that the eruption is weakening. However, they warn that seismic activity could persist for months, and more magma could still emerge to fuel the eruption. Stunning images and videos have captured the event, showing lava flows and the night sky aglow with orange hues. Local experts have expressed concerns about the potential for volcanic fissures to suddenly tear apart the area, posing a significant danger to the nearby 'critical' power plant and prompting tourists to cancel trips to Iceland. Authorities have repeatedly warned both tourists and locals to avoid the eruption site, describing the trek as 'extremely challenging' and urging people to 'think four times' before attempting it. The eruption, which follows weeks of intense seismic warnings, could mark the beginning of a prolonged period of volcanic activity, with scientists unable to predict its duration, suggesting it could be days, weeks, or even months. Notably, National Geographic has described this eruption as potentially the most dangerous in recent history. Volcano expert Dr. Katie Reeves has provided insights on the event, and heavy snow has contributed to the slowing of lava flows. NASA images have shown the eruption from space, and an AFP photo taken by Viken Kantarci has highlighted the eruption's proximity to Grindavik. Kristín Jónsdóttir, head of the department at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, has emphasized that the current absence of eruptive activity does not necessarily signal the end of the volcanic eruption.
While the Icelandic Meteorological Office says it was still too soon to declare the eruption over, residents were able to return briefly to Grindavik to check on their homes and collect belongings https://t.co/RkVZWOclJO https://t.co/FVJD6ElAL2
Residents returned briefly to Grindavik, about 25 miles southwest of the capital Reykjavik in Iceland, after being evacuated in early November because of intense seismic activity https://t.co/RkVZWObNUg https://t.co/g6nPUUhRN5
The intensity of the eruption of Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland has decreased significantly in the last two days, local officials report. However, engineers have been working to protect a nearby power plant from lava flows, as the volcanic activity is highly unpredictable. https://t.co/6zCVteRH5j
INSANE LAVA SHOT! A drone pilot who went the extra mile to get “a cool shot” of a volcanic eruption in Iceland, melting his gear in the process, recently reposted the epic footage and asked his community if he should try again amid the latest eruption. 🌋📸 https://t.co/YRD3MyMRg8
Residents return briefly to an evacuated fishing town in Iceland after scientists said no volcanic activity was visible three days after the volcano spewed lava and smoke high into the air on the Reykjanes peninsula https://t.co/RkVZWObNUg https://t.co/Ih8mOEv2YO
Iceland asks tourists to "think four times" before hiking to erupting volcano https://t.co/RIqyh26nH7
Embers of a dying fire: Surprise and relief as Iceland volcano simmers down - read @t0mclark3's full report below https://t.co/C2hlH0VfzH
Iceland volcano throws out 100m lava waves in stunning footage of eruption https://t.co/bXE01EU13g
Residents return briefly to Grindavik, an evacuated fishing town in Iceland, for the first time since a volcanic eruption to check on their homes and collect some belongings https://t.co/RkVZWObNUg https://t.co/6Ky5rs2amd
AFP photo taken by Viken Kantarci shows the proximity of the eruption to Grindavik. The southernmost end of the fissure was then almost three kilometers away. What a close call!! https://t.co/NvOquyEa9V https://t.co/k3vUMvJFyD
Iceland volcano continues to spew lava, but officials say an evacuated town may be spared https://t.co/wPKBQA8NCN
The authorities in Iceland on Thursday reiterated calls to tourists and locals to avoid the site of a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, warning people to “think four times” before embarking on an “extremely challenging” hike there. https://t.co/gMVUuOkmpG
the eruption that started on 18th of december was the most powerful of the now annual reykjanes peninsula volcanic activities . it just ended last night . out of the 4 eruptions ( geologists say it could happen every year now for a century ) it was the shortest and had most lava… https://t.co/Z1EnEYDo1V
Iceland volcano activity continues to decrease Follow us on Rumble: https://t.co/Nuc9nUzTc5 https://t.co/jAKfZPwGNA
todays view of the eruption in Iceland. I'm glad it wasn't a damaging eruption but sad that it's potentially over too. https://t.co/CF1tbXzdAO
Sky's @t0mclark3 and his team boarded a surveillance and safety flight above the volcanic field in Iceland. Take a look at the incredible footage below 👇🌋 https://t.co/D0tO1bJ6QJ
NASA Images Show Huge Fissure Opening Up in Iceland https://t.co/RoOK5Z6nBe
🟨 Iceland eruption update: 🔸 The current absence of eruptive activity does not necessarily signal the end of the volcanic eruption, according to Kristín Jónsdóttir, head of the department at the Icelandic Meteorological Office. 🔸 Assessing magma pressure is crucial before… https://t.co/axiso2xPRf
See Iceland's volcanic eruption from SPACE: NASA satellite capture images before and after the blast - revealing the searing temperatures as lava flows from the fissure https://t.co/xAEiB3HWkX https://t.co/x83jY4wJDm
Iceland volcano disruption could be 'days weeks or months,' scientist warns https://t.co/QkCBeoXFWw
Iceland’s volcanic eruption, which in the past days has spewed fountains of molten lava into the sky, appears to have died out https://t.co/koE1yod0vx
Icelandic volcano appears to have died down, scientists say https://t.co/BpbYaNn7Zv https://t.co/Gnqar87sj5
Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano spewed more lava as engineers worked to divert the flow away from a power plant. 🔗 https://t.co/QxYBe2YyFt https://t.co/9JUPT4nLVx
Looks as if the eruption in #Iceland was a two-day wonder. There is now no visible activity in the remaining vents, although lava bed is still glowing. Glad I didn't fly out there! Who knows, it may resurrect, & won't be deemed over officially for months. Screenshot from IMO. https://t.co/GWY0iUMxtH
‘Critical’ power plant in Iceland at risk as lava spews from Grindavik volcano fissure https://t.co/pkwPgM2yWp
Stunning moment volcano in Iceland spews out rivers of lava as the island is rocked by the huge eruption https://t.co/OAv67d9yye https://t.co/A2SF5dCCLO
A volcano eruption occurred Monday in Iceland near the town of Grindavik. The sky in the area was painted orange as magma continued spewing on the second night of the eruption. https://t.co/Uc1SeaNKm9
🌋 Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula erupts! A 4 km fissure near Grindavík lights up the night with lava flows. No immediate danger, but a breathtaking natural display! #IcelandEruption #VolcanoWatch https://t.co/ZikBeDhPXt
Yes, share with care - taking a moment to sift for the people who capture amazing images. Like this one of Iceland’s eruption. https://t.co/p0PZhqP3fP
Iceland’s volcanic eruption is dramatic. But it won’t cool the planet https://t.co/xEt8CqzGxH https://t.co/djE0Gl6NJx
Incredible photos show rivers of lava and molten rock flying through the air from a fissure that opened up earlier this week when the Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted near a small fishing town in southwestern Iceland. 🌋📸 https://t.co/7VnL0TlAEl
Drone footage shows lava spewing from a fissure near Grindavik. The lava flow has now abated, but authorities believe things could still change quickly. They are warning people to stay indoors and not to try to reach the eruption site. https://t.co/26NypxP73L https://t.co/QF7fn2jI0I
Iceland's volcanic eruption is dramatic. But it won't cool the planet https://t.co/jfMm4E1WE7
Iceland volcano eruption ‘could last for months’ - learn more by tuning into our Tech and Science Daily podcast https://t.co/JQF0GjuksM
The Land of Fire and Ice! Footage from Iceland over Monday and Tuesday shows riveting footage of a lava flow from a volcanic eruption. https://t.co/gKFCyIknCC
A song of ice and fire! A drone captured the lava flowing from the erupting volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula, with the town of Grindavik and the lights of the famous Blue Lagoon visible in the background, in Grindavik, Iceland, on Dec. 19. https://t.co/G5xT0y5zKR
After weeks of reported earthquakes, a volcano has erupted in southwestern Iceland, spewing lava and smoke into the sky. Photos captured on Tuesday by the Icelandic Coast Guard via TMX. https://t.co/lpkkpI7FIY
Iceland volcano: People warned not to try to visit eruption site Read more ⬇ https://t.co/FcRueIRO2b
🌋 An eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland spewed lava and smoke more than 100 meters into the air after weeks of intense seismic activity. Here's a recorded live stream of lava spouting from a fissure at dawn https://t.co/klYtD78UNg https://t.co/K3gtwbC8WI
NASA releases images of Iceland volcano eruption from space https://t.co/VTju5vVNDL
Icelandic authorities are warning tourists to “think four times” before they attempt to make a “challenging” trek to the site of a volcanic eruption after its coast guard rescued an exhausted hiker by helicopter. https://t.co/ZbyXCLiMIN
Amazing aurora over Senja Island in Northern Norway. https://t.co/86bZ5sblPk
Iceland's eruption could mark the start of a hundred years of volcanic activity https://t.co/Maw66ejzAt
Iceland erupts after weeks of warnings. 🌋 The @NOAA-20 satellite captured images before and after lava flowed from a new fissure on the Reykjanes Peninsula on Dec. 18. The brightness temperature images help show relative warmth and coolness. https://t.co/HvZrdkfJw8 https://t.co/U6bL2SvTsU
Iceland volcano: The evacuated residents who can't go home for Christmas https://t.co/l398yVK6QH
Lava bursts and smoke clouds in Iceland as volcano erupts Follow us on Telegram: https://t.co/gtQwYY5WSl https://t.co/icupBWfnA5
"Just a regular Tuesday." This is how one Icelandic man described the volcano eruption. But to most people this is a mesmerising view: we can smell the smoke, there are ashes floating in the air, & we can feel the vibration under our feet. Reporting from Iceland for @BBCNews👇 https://t.co/lp8eAGtodD
A volcano has erupted spectacularly in southwest Iceland - a month after large cracks opened up nearby. Volcano expert Dr Katie Reeves details why the eruption has happened now. https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/jkzoYwzDZF
"It was pretty spectacular from a scientific perspective." Volcano expert Dr Katie Reeves tells @JayneSeckerSky what it was like to watch the volcano in Iceland erupt. https://t.co/gwmGoV9KvK 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube https://t.co/dGfLZu6NB7
🌋 Lava continued to spew from a volcano in Iceland after an eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country https://t.co/klYtD78UNg https://t.co/KFKpxvq6mK
Lava flows from Iceland volcano slow as heavy snow sets in https://t.co/nqtNwwxfNR https://t.co/hp8YIqLD5a
Iceland volcano tourists told to ‘think four times’ before getting too close https://t.co/srmN2E3s1f
🔴 ‘Critical’ power plant in Iceland at risk as lava spews from volcano fissure https://t.co/UjaSa5Zmd9
🌋 ICELAND VOLCANO AWAKENS: A SPECTACLE OF NATURE'S FORCE Iceland's recent eruption near Grindavik is not just any volcanic event. Imagine a crack 3.5 km long, hurling lava 200 cubic meters per second - a geological marvel! This isn't your everyday eruption; we're witnessing an… https://t.co/5UZL4bebGH https://t.co/aYFyS5gMXK
Morning volcano watchers! Iceland’s eruption is still continuing at a diminished rate. No new hazards have emerged. 🌋If you’d like an explainer of everything that led up to the eruption, and its initial 24 hour dramatics, read my piece for @sciam: https://t.co/cHDcwTEIZ8
Why Iceland's latest eruption may be the most dangerous in recent history - National Geographic https://t.co/sVvwqNFpAy
The eruption in Iceland may have weakened but it’s far from over Read more🔗 https://t.co/epCJj97qPg
The terrifying sounds that hinted Iceland's volcano was ready to blow: Audio clip reveals the 'exciting and scary' seismic activity in the build up to the eruption https://t.co/wphBnrPbbZ https://t.co/6WgdRi9LEu
WATCH: Breathtaking video of Iceland's volcano eruption https://t.co/jndoFEwy4z
The eruption in Iceland has weakened but it’s not over yet. The Icelandic Met Office says more magma could yet flow from deep within the Earth to fuel the fire fountains and perhaps open up new fissures ⬇️ 🔗 https://t.co/Qh8kO12LOu https://t.co/Xp1fFWsS54
Iceland volcano eruption weakening https://t.co/vSK462BxAM
Huge danger that volcanic fissures could tear apart Icelandic town without warning, local experts fear as tourists rush to cancel trips to the country and stunning new images of lava flows emerge https://t.co/LS7J4MawNn https://t.co/iLzvIOpMRF
Watch: Lava and smoke are seen rising from a volcano in #Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula. The intensity of eruption has dropped, but the seismic activity could last for months, local officials say. #Volcano Read more: https://t.co/M5FUI6FL9w https://t.co/uqgRDFAZbh