A volcanic eruption in Southwestern Iceland forced the evacuation of a nearby town and the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa on Wednesday, July 16. Media images captured huge plumes of smoke and glowing lava flows spewing from an enormous crack in Earth’s surface roughly 30 miles (18.6 miles) southwest of Reykjavík.

Spectacular drone footage captured the Sundhnúkur volcanic fissure erupting in southwest Iceland on Wednesday. A river-like flow of lava illuminated the landscape after a massive 1.5-mile fissure opened up in the early hours of the morning.

A large sulfur dioxide gas cloud is blowing toward Keflavík International Airport. Authorities have told people nearby to stay indoors and keep their windows shut as pollution levels rise. Despite this, flights are running normally and the airport remains open.

Volcanic activity on southwestern Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula is declining, prompting civil protection authorities to lower the alert level from "emergency" to "threat," Icelandic public broadcaster RUV reported Thursday.

A lava-spewing fissure has opened up along Iceland's Sundhnúkur crater row as the Reykjanes peninsula experiences another volcanic eruption.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has now updated its guidance on travel to the country. It warned travellers that more eruptions are ‘likely’ and advised them to closely follow local media for any further updates. This is the ninth time the volcano has erupted since December 2023.