eruption in a volcanic fissure near Reykjavik

A volcanic eruption emanating from a fissure began Wednesday August 3 near Reykjavik, announced Iceland Meteorological Institute. The fissure, from which lava could be seen erupting in local media footage, is located some 40 kilometers from the Icelandic capital, near the site of Mount Fagradalsfjall, where a volcano erupted in 2021.

The institute said the eruption started in the valley “Meradalir, about 1.5 km north of Stóra Hrút“. Although there is no ash cloud, the institute however indicated that it was “possible that pollution is detected due to gas emissions“. Contacted by AFP, the National Airports Authority of Iceland said no flights were affected by the volcano at the moment, adding that they were monitoring the situation. “Consequently”.

Mount Fagradalsfjall belongs to the Krysuvik volcanic system, located on the Reykjanes peninsula in southern Iceland. The country has 32 volcanic systems currently considered active, the largest number in Europe, and experiences an eruption every five years on average.