In a video filmed from a helicopter, meter-high pillars of lava can be seen spraying up from the ground and spreading over the landscape. The crack is growing steadily and is 2.4 kilometers long on Wednesday morning, according to Icelandic media. In addition, another crack has opened up.
Parts of Grindavík have been evacuated, including a campsite with vacationers. The popular tourist destination Blue Lagoon is also included in the evacuations, writes Icelandic media. In the middle of the night, around 200 hotel guests were awakened and quickly forced to pack up and leave.
Residents near the eruption are advised to stay indoors and close their windows due to gas pollution. The air quality is considered unhealthy - sulfur dioxide levels are in some places far above health limits, reports Rúv.
The police have prevented some tourists from entering the area.
We naturally understand that this is a fascinating event, especially for tourists who are not as used to it as we are, says police chief Margret Kristin Palsdottir to Rúv.
The eruption in the Sundhnúk crater started after over 130 earthquakes were measured around Svartsengi on the Reykjaneshalvön during the night until Wednesday. Early in the morning, the first crack opened and lava began to flow.
Based on measurements, the eruption is believed to be relatively small, writes the newspaper Morgunbladid.
According to an expert who Rúv has spoken to, the location of the eruption is relatively far from Grindavík and is therefore not believed to threaten any infrastructure.
