A powerful volcano broke through the earth's surface and erupted in the city of Grindavik, Iceland, turning the sky blood red and forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency.
Authorities began evacuation, according to local media reports, and the volcanic eruption caused fissures up to 3 kilometers long.
It is the fourth since December of last year and the most recent in the same area in February.
The lava eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southern Iceland began on Saturday night as the Icelandic Meteorological Office said lava streams were still flowing on Sunday.
However, authorities noted that the flow has slowed. The eruption was reported weeks ago on the peninsula, south of the capital, Reykjavik.
“This was to be expected,” said Rikke Pedersen, director of the Nordic Volcanology Centre.
Vídir Reynisson, head of Iceland's civil defense, said preparations had been made for the lava flow, adding that “puddles of lava accumulating near the defenses were also a cause for concern.”
Videos circulating on social media showed lava covering the ground in a violent eruption and flowing as smoke covered the sky turning it a blood red color.
After visiting the affected area from the air, geophysicist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson said the eruption “was the most powerful yet” as it reached Grindavik's eastern defense walls.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office said this lava bed was “significantly wider” than in February, when a previous eruption caused lava to flow in a similar direction.
Authorities have expressed possible widespread destruction that may be caused by the lava flow, including disruption of communication lines.
The fishing village where it had been flowing had been evacuated in January due to the volcanic eruption, where 4,000 people lived.
The Scandinavian country is home to more than 30 active volcanoes, making the northern European island a privileged destination for volcano tourism.
A 2010 eruption at the Eyafjallajokull volcano caused the disruption of more than 100,000 flights, forcing hundreds to abandon their residences.
