The volcanic fissure that opened up in Iceland early Wednesday has now expanded, and stretches further north than at any time since 2023.Lava and toxic gas continue to spill from the latest eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Guests at the nearby luxury Blue Lagoon geothermal spa resort were evacuated as a precaution. View on euronews

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.