Icelandic Volcano Erupts Again, Staying Localized

A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted for the sixth time since December, spewing lava through a new fissure on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Authorities state that the eruption is localized, posing no threat to nearby towns or air travel.

A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted Thursday evening for the sixth time since December, spewing red lava through a new fissure on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The eruption began shortly after 9 p.m. following a series of strong earthquakes. Within the hour, a 4-kilometer (2.4-mile) fissure cut through the Sundhnúkur crater. Authorities indicate that the eruption's effects are localized, leading to road closures but no threat to nearby populations.

Halldór Björnsson, head of weather and climate at the Norwegian Meteorological Agency, noted to Icelandic news portal Vísir that unlike previous eruptions, the lava flow is not targeting Grindavik, a town largely evacuated in December. Magnús Tuma Guðmundsson, a geophysicist, flew over the eruption centers and added, "If this continues like this, Grindavík is not in danger. We don't know what will happen in the near future, but it is likely that this has reached its peak and will start to subside." The eruption is not expected to affect air travel.

(With inputs from agencies.)