Video: A volcano in Iceland erupts for the fourth time in three months world

A volcano in Iceland has erupted for the fourth time in three months, the country's meteorological office reported on Saturday (16). Pictures taken at the time of the eruption show lava in the air, in sharp contrast to the dark night sky. (See video above)

Local authorities had already warned of the possibility of a new eruption. The volcano is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, south of the Icelandic capital, Reykjavik.

After the eruption began, the country's meteorological authority published an alert on its official website. Until then, Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport remained open for both departures and arrivals.

Icelandic police said they declared a state of emergency in the area, while Civil Defense sent a helicopter to assess the extent of the volcano's eruption.

The adjacent Blue Lagoon luxury geothermal resort immediately closed its doors, as it had during previous eruptions.

“We have evacuated and temporarily closed all of our operations sites,” the operator said on its website. He added: “We will remain closed until Sunday, March 17. Further updates and information will be provided here as they become available.”

Iceland, which is similar in size to the US state of Kentucky, has more than 30 active volcanoes. Therefore, the northern European island has become a distinctive destination for volcanic tourism, a segment that attracts thousands of adventurers.

In 2010, ash clouds from the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in southern Iceland spread across large parts of Europe, canceling about 100,000 flights and forcing hundreds of Icelanders to flee their homes.

Volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula are known as fissure eruptions, which generally do not cause large explosions or significant spread of ash into the stratosphere.

However, scientists fear it could persist for decades. Therefore, Icelandic authorities began building dams (dykes) to divert lava flows and protect homes and infrastructure areas.

The volcano last erupted in early February, disrupting heating in the region for more than 20,000 people and destroying roads and pipelines. In January, lava set fire to several houses in a fishing town.

Lying between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hotspot, with the two moving in opposite directions.

*With information from Reuters