Iceland volcano erupts near capital Reykjavik

A volcano in southwestern Iceland on the Reykjanes peninsula erupted on Friday night, following thousands of smaller tremors in the area in recent weeks, the country’s meteorological office said.

The peninsula, located south-west of the capital Reykjavik, is a seismic hotspot, recording at least 40,000 earthquakes in recent weeks.

“Volcanic eruption has begun in Fagradalsfjall,” the Icelandic Meteorological Office said in a tweet, referring to a mountain located about 30 kilometres south-west of the capital on the way to the island’s main airport.

Pictures on local media websites showed a night sky glowing bright red.

All inbound and outgoing air traffic from Keflavik International Airport had been halted, the office told Reuters.

A helicopter with scientific personnel had been scrambled to assess the extent of the eruption, the office said.

The country had only the day before opened its borders to vaccinated foreigners, a move that had made the north Atlantic island one of the first nations in the world to reopen to tourists after the latest coronavirus curbs.