Iceland evacuated Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon as a volcano erupted, following magma flows and earthquakes. This marks the eighth eruption since late 2023.

Iceland evacuated the town of Grindavik and the nearby Blue Lagoon on Tuesday as a volcano began spewing lava. This marks the eighth eruption in the region since the end of 2023.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that "an eruption has started on the Sundhnuksgigar Crater Row" located north of the fishing village of Grindavik.

According to the IMO's statement, "The fissure is now about 500 meters (yards) long and has reached through the protective barrier north of Grindavík. The fissure continues to grow, and it cannot be ruled out that it may continue to open further south."

Icelandic authorities initiated evacuations on Tuesday morning after detecting magma flows and a series of small earthquakes, signaling an imminent eruption.

Residents of approximately 40 homes in Grindavik, near the volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula, were instructed to evacuate following the detection of magma flows.

The town, located about 53 km (33 miles) from the capital, Reykjavik, had already been largely evacuated a year ago when the volcano, dormant for 800 years, reawakened.

Local media reported that the nearby Blue Lagoon luxury spa was also being evacuated.

The eruption was accompanied by an intense storm of earthquakes, resembling those that preceded previous eruptions, according to the Met Office.

Since 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced ten eruptions south of Reykjavik. However, none have directly impacted the capital or disrupted air traffic by releasing ash into the stratosphere.

Iceland, often referred to as the land of ice and fire, is renowned for its numerous glaciers and volcanoes.