Volcanic eruptions reported in Sundhnúksgígaröð area of Reykjanesskagi, Iceland

Volcanic eruptions have begun in the Sundhnúksgígaröð area of Reykjanesskagi at 21:26 GMT, following a strong series of earthquakes that started about an hour earlier.

Authorities are prioritizing the protection of the towns of Grindavík and Svartsengi, although the direction of the lava flow remains undetermined. Hjördís Guðmundsdóttir, the communication manager for civil protection, indicated that cooling measures for the lava will not be implemented until more information is available.

The public has been advised to stay away from the eruption site, and evacuation efforts are underway. The current eruption is occurring in a location similar to the last volcanic event in the region, and the area is being monitored closely.

A state of emergency was declared shortly after the eruption began. Increased seismic activity and pressure changes in local geothermal boreholes have been observed. No HS Orku employees were present at the site during the eruption, and a full evacuation of the area is in progress.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office has activated disaster response protocols in anticipation of the volcanic activity linked to the increased earthquake activity. The situation is evolving, and the civil protection coordination center has been established as a red alert is in effect.

As developments occur, officials are monitoring the situation closely to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate any potential hazards from the ongoing volcanic activity.