Huge volcanic eruption in Iceland - 21st February 2024

Another volcanic eruption has hit Iceland. It's the third one in the last three months.

Close to the town of Grindavik, the buildings are undamaged, so far. In the first eruption, local people were sent away. That time, houses were destroyed. This time, the hot lava flow’s damaged an important water pipe.

Fannar Jonasson's the mayor of the town.

Fannar Jónasson: "And it's no less bad that it's so close to the hot water pipe. We don't know what the consequences might be, but it's obviously a very serious matter. But otherwise, we're pleased that Grindavík's infrastructure and buildings are not at risk, as things stand."

There are 30 active volcanoes in Iceland. This volcano's known as a 'fissure volcano' - the lava erupts through a long tunnel in the rock. It's different from the 2010 eruption, when huge clouds of dust exploded into the air. A large amount of the world's air traffic had to stop flying.

According to Jack, a Canadian traveller, it was amazing to see.

Jack: "I woke up to the siren going off, and, and we packed our stuff up and went out in the parking lot and there's the, there's the volcano going. It was awesome. It was amazing. Just something once in a lifetime, being able to see it."

Reporter: "But, but you were very close to it?" "Yeah, we were like a kilometre maybe."

Local people from Grindavik are relieved that the volcano's erupted. They’ve waited for years. Solny Palsdottir was sent away with 3,800 others, for safety.

Sólný Pálsdóttir: "It's hard to explain. It's such a relief when it happens. We mustn't forget that we've been in this scenario for four years and that we've been living with these tremors and this tension for so many years.

Experts in volcanoes are anxious this could be the beginning of a new, very active period. Local people are nervous they may never live in Grindavik again.