WATCH: Fresh volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula forces evacuation

Iceland's meteorological office said on Wednesday (May 29) that a new volcanic eruption has started on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwestern Iceland. It began shortly after authorities evacuated the nearby town of Grindavik.

Iceland is home to 33 active volcano systems, which is the highest number in Europe. It straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack in the ocean floor separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates

The volcano released glowing hot lava into the air, with the authorities warning of the risk of renewed volcanic activity in the area. A report by the news agency Reuters mentioned that studies have shown magma accumulated underground.

In a statement, Iceland's Met Office said, "An eruption has started near Sundhnuksgigar, north of Grindavik." This comes almost three weeks after the end of a previous eruption that had been ongoing since March 16.

"The eruption cloud reached an altitude of about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) at the beginning of the eruption" and the length of the fissure was estimated at over one kilometre, it added.

The news agencies mentioned that in the aftermath, a large white cloud of smoke could be seen billowing up against the blue sky, with orange lava spewing out of the crack in the ground.

Benedikt Ofeigsson, who is a volcanologist, told Icelandic public broadcaster RUV that the fissure was growing and was more than 2.5 kilometres long an hour after the start of the eruption.

LIVE: Volcano in Iceland erupts again https://t.co/lyA3ohzkMm — Reuters (@Reuters) May 29, 2024

The neighbouring Blue Lagoon geothermal spa said that for its blue waters and Iceland's most popular tourist attraction Ofeigsson said. According to the official, the spa was also evacuated on Wednesday.

The eruption, however, was not expected to impact air travel, with Keflavik International Airport remaining "open and operating as usual," according to airport operator Isavia's website.

This was the fifth eruption on the peninsula since December. Eruptions then occurred in January, February, and March, with the March 16th eruption being declared finished on May 9.

(With inputs from agencies)