Iceland volcano: Stunning images show lava spewing after third eruption in 2 months
The Reykjanes peninsula volcano has erupted again, with dramatic new pictures showing the terrifying scenes with lava spewing from a fissure estimated to be as long as 3km
These incredible images show fountains of lava spewing from a fissure on Iceland's volcano - which today erupted for the third time in just two months.
Spectacular footage has emerged - including pictures from a helicopter over the eruption zone - showing pools of lava erupting from the fissure on the Reykjanes peninsula. The fissure of molten rock is estimated to be more than 3km (1.86 miles) in length.
Lava shot more than 50m (160ft) into the air, with these images and videos showing Coast Guard helicopters flying over the peninsula early on Thursday morning and witnessing the eruption. They said: “The Coast Guard helicopter team flew with scientists to the steam stations northeast of Sýlingarfell to assess the extent of the gas that began there this morning.”
The volcano began erupting at Sundhnuk shortly before 6am on Thursday morning, with locals claiming this time it looked bigger than the two before. The nearest town of Grindavik was already evacuated from the previous eruption on January 14.
This time, the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa - which is one of Iceland's biggest tourist attractions - has been evacuated as it maybe under threat from the latest eruption.
1 of 8 Incredible images captured from the air convey the extent of the eruption
(Image:Almannavarnadeildar ríkislögreglustjóra.)2 of 8 Footage of the latest eruption in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula
(Image:Icelandic Coast Guard/Cover Images)3 of 8 The eruption began at Sundhnuk shortly before 6am on Thursday morning
(Image:Icelandic Coast Guard/Cover Images)4 of 8 Dramatic images show smoke rising from the land as lava spews from the fissure
(Image:Icelandic Coast Guard/Cover Images)
5 of 8 Locals in south west Iceland say the third eruption looks bigger than the two prior
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)6 of 8 Emergency services have been at the scene trying to mitigate the impact of the latest eruption
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)7 of 8 The nearest town of Grindavik has already been evacuated
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)8 of 8 The fissure of molten rock is estimated to be more than 3km (1.86 miles) in length
(Image:Icelandic Coast Guard/Cover Images)