The volcanic fissure that opened up in Iceland late on Tuesday has now expanded, and stretches further north than at any time since 2023.Lava and toxic gas continue to spill from the latest eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

A volcanic eruption in Southwestern Iceland forced the evacuation of a nearby town and the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa on Wednesday, July 16. Media images captured huge plumes of smoke and glowing lava flows spewing from an enormous crack in Earth’s surface roughly 30 miles (18.6 miles) southwest of Reykjavík.

Tourists and locals have been evacuated on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula after the twelfth volcanic eruption in the region since 2021. The eruption began around 4 am on Wednesday following an intense seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, Iceland’s Met Office (IMO) said.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has now updated its guidance on travel to the country. It warned travellers that more eruptions are ‘likely’ and advised them to closely follow local media for any further updates. This is the ninth time the volcano has erupted since December 2023.