Reykjavik:

A volcanic eruption started on Monday night time in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland’s Meteorological Workplace reported.

“An eruption has began on the Reykjanes peninsula,” it stated. “It may be seen on webcams and appears to be situated near Hagafell,” a city south of the capital.

The eruption started round 22:17 GMT following a collection of small earthquakes at round 21:00, the IMO added.

“A Coast Guard helicopter will take off shortly to verify the precise location and dimension of the eruption.”

Iceland had been on excessive alert for a possible volcanic eruption after intense seismic exercise final month.

1000’s of small earthquakes have been recorded on the island’s southwestern peninsula as magma shifted below the Earth’s crust.

The roughly 4,000 residents of Grindavik, a fishing port round 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the capital, have been evacuated on November 11.

Iceland is dwelling to 33 energetic volcano programs, the very best quantity in Europe.

The Reykjanes peninsula had not skilled an eruption for eight centuries till 2021.

Since then, three eruptions have struck — all in distant, uninhabited areas — and volcanologists say this may very well be the beginning of a brand new period of exercise within the area.

(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)