A volcano near the capital of Iceland erupts for the third time in three years

The Fagradalsfjall volcano, located 40 kilometers from the capital of Iceland (Reykjavik), has once again entered into eruption for the third time in three years. The eruption is located near Mount Litli Hrutur, a few kilometers from where the last eruptions occurred on the Reykjanes peninsula – southwest of the capital – in 2021 and 2022.

It is a fissure volcano, characterized by the expulsion of lava from the ground and which does not generate large explosions or ash columns. Despite this, the civil defense closed the perimeter due to the expelled gases, as reported by the Icelandic president on his Twitter.

As indicated yesterday by the Icelandic Meteorological Office -Vedur- the eruption and, consequently, the contamination have decreased. Despite this, residents should still stay away from the volcano due to the emission of toxic gases.

Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, spokesman for the department for civil protection and emergency management, said that while it was not dangerous for now, the situation was unpredictable and children should not be allowed near the area – even when restrictions are finally lifted.

The eruption follows intense seismic activity in recent days and is classified as a fissure eruption, which generally does not generate large explosions or a significant amount of ash in the stratosphereas specified by the Icelandic Government.