Iceland Volcano Erupts, Evacuates Grindavik

A volcanic eruption occurred on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula late Wednesday, marking the seventh such event in the region since December 2023. The eruption, which began at 11:14 PM, resulted in the formation of a fissure approximately 1.8 miles long and prompted the evacuation of around 200 residents from the nearby town of Grindavík and the popular Blue Lagoon resort due to concerns about gas emissions. While the latest eruption is reported to be smaller than the previous ones, authorities have warned that the volcanic activity could pose risks to air quality. Most of Grindavík's residents had already evacuated in past eruptions, with many homes now sold to the state. Experts believe that the region has entered a new phase of heightened volcanic activity, with no immediate threat to infrastructure. The Blue Lagoon has temporarily closed while reassessing the situation.