Iceland Volcano Erupts Near Town After Weeks of Quake Activity

Iceland Volcano Erupts Near Town After Weeks of Quake Activity
A volcano spews lava and smoke as it erupts in Grindavik, Iceland, on Dec. 18, 2023. Civil Protection of Iceland/Handout via Reuters
Reuters
Updated:
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OSLO—A volcano erupted late on Monday in southwest Iceland, spewing lava and smoke across a wide area after weeks of intense earthquake activity, the country’s Meteorological Office said, threatening a nearby town.

Fearing a significant eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, authorities last month evacuated the nearly 4,000 inhabitants of the fishing town of Grindavik and closed the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.