Volcano: Volcano erupts in southwest Iceland

REYKJAVIK: volcanic eruption started Monday evening in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland’s Meteorological Workplace mentioned.For weeks, the Nordic nation has been on excessive alert for a possible eruption at any second after a interval of intense seismic exercise on the southwest peninsula, which final month prompted evacuation orders. “At 22:17 this night, a volcanic eruption started north of Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula,” the IMO mentioned, including that it might be seen from close by webcams.The live-streamed footage of the eruption confirmed giant jets of glowing orange lava spewing into the evening sky, surrounded by billowing crimson smoke. “A Coast Guard helicopter will take off shortly to substantiate the precise location and dimension of the eruption,” the IMO mentioned.In November, hundreds of small earthquakes rattled the area south of Reykjavik.The roughly 4,000 residents of Grindavik, a fishing port round 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the capital, have been evacuated on November 11 after officers decided a tunnel of magma was shifting beneath them, thought-about a precursor to an eruption.Residents instructed AFP the seismic exercise had broken roads and buildings.Since then, they’ve solely been allowed to go to their properties throughout sure daytime.Authorities have organised occasional journeys into the village, escorting these with properties in probably the most perilous elements to rescue every thing from cherished pets to photograph albums, furnishings and clothes.New period