Iceland volcano LIVE: A volcano in southwest Iceland near Grindavík has erupted weeks after nearly 4,000 residents of a nearby town were evacuated amid intense seismic activity. Volcanic eruption began on Monday night in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm.

Iceland’s Meteorological Office informed, “At 22:17 this evening, a volcanic eruption began north of Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula. The eruption is located close to Sundhnúkagígar, about four kilometres northeast of Grindavík, and it can be seen on nearby web cameras. The eruption was preceded by an earthquake swarm that started at 21:00. A Coast Guard helicopter will take off shortly to confirm the exact location and size of the eruption. More information will be available soon.”

The footage of the eruption showed large jets of glowing lava spewing into the night sky, accompanied with billowing smoke. 

For weeks, the Nordic country has been on high alert for a potential eruption at any moment after a period of intense seismic activity on the southwest peninsula. The seismic activity had prompted evacuation orders.