A long-dormant volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Friday about 40 kilometers from the capital Reykjavík, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said.
Local media reported that inbound and outbound air traffic had been stopped from Keflavik International Airport, the largest in the country, serving the capital.
The eruption happened in thousands of minor earthquakes in the area in recent weeks, and officials prepared for an eruption as a result.
“Code red”
The Meteorological Office reported the volcanic eruption near Mount Fagradals at 20:45 local time, stating that “the flight color code is red, but very little turbulence is seen in the seismometers.”
The fissure caused by the eruption was about 500 meters (approximately 1,640 feet) long, according to the National Weather Service.
The Coast Guard said the lava appeared to be “slowly flowing” as they shared an aerial video of the eruption on Facebook.
Authorities urged people to avoid the eruption site.
“We ask people to stay calm and in no case approach the site of the eruption or Reykjanesbraut. First responders should be able to drive freely to assess the situation. Scientists are working on the ‘assessment of the eruption,’ ‘police said.
Icelandic Justice Minister Aslaug Arna Sigurbjornsdottir shared an image of the eruption showing a bright red night sky.
Two flights were to Keflavik International Airport.
A Coast Guard helicopter was sent to the scene to investigate the volcanic eruption.
An expected eruption
The southern peninsula of Iceland and its Krysuvik volcanic system, a virtually uninhabited area that includes Mount Keilir, had recorded at least 40,000 earthquakes as strong as magnitude 5.7 since 24 February.
Experts had said before the eruption that they expected a lava-based effusion, reminiscent of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which generated a massive cloud of ash, which notoriously broke about 900,000 flights across Europe over a period of several weeks.
The region is known to experience effusive eruptions, where lava rises from the ground, rather than explosives, in which ash clouds burst into the sky. The latter are much more problematic for air travel, with ash capable of damaging jet engines and affecting visibility.
According to the Meteorological Office, the Krysuvik volcanic system has been dormant for nearly 900 years. The southern peninsula of Reykjanes witnessed an eruption 781 years ago.
fb / msh (AFP, DPA, Reuters)