Iceland volcano erupts for a third time – is it still safe to travel?

Iceland is experiencing its third volcanic eruption since December, shutting down major tourist sites.

Stunning photos have shown glowing orange lava flowing from newly-formed fissures in the ground, as Iceland’s Meteorological Office issued new guidance in light of this mornings eruption.

How safe is it to travel to the nation?

Where are the volcanic eruptions happening?

Lava has begun spreading from the fissures (Picture: Getty)

Smoke was seen rising near the eruption site (Picture: AFP)

A nearby power station in Reykjanes Peninsula is not in danger, authorities said (Picture: Reuters)

The Sylingarfell Volcano, just less than two miles north of the town of Grindavik, began erupting around 6am this morning after increased seismic activity.

The Iceland Met Office said lava was flowing to the west and there is no immediate threat to the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated as lava flowed near the towns edges during previous eruptions.

Grindavik sits near the epicentre of the Fagradalsfjall volcano and almost 4,000 people in the town had to be evacuated when it erupted in December.

The threat remains low for now, but tourist sites are taking precautions.

The famous Blue Lagoon thermal spa, one of Iceland‘s biggest tourist attractions, has been closed and guests have been moved to hotels, local media said.

Is it safe to travel to Iceland?

The recent eruptions may draw some thrill seekers to Iceland (Picture: AP)

The UK Foreign Office posted guidance on its website: ‘Iceland is volcanic and seismically active. Recently there have been a series of volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula in south-west Iceland…

‘These have affected the town of Grindavik and area to the north of it. All roads to Grindavik and surrounding area are closed and you should stay away from this area. Keflavik International Airport has been unaffected and is operating as normal.

‘The capital city, Reykjavik, and the rest of Iceland has not been impacted by these eruptions. It is likely there will be further eruptions in this location.’

Those travelling are urged to check local guidance, such as the ‘Safe Travel Iceland’ website.

Visitors have been urged to not stop on road 41 between Reykjavik and Keflavik to take photos or view the ongoing eruption.

Are flights still going to Iceland?

The fissures are estimated to be 3km long (Picture: AFP)

Currently, flights to Iceland have not been impacted.

Airlines such as British Airways, Icelandair, Norwegian Air, WOW and EasyJet all operate flights to cities in Iceland.

The capitol city, Reykjavik, is currently not affected by the ongoing eruptions.

Last month, a road worker went missing after falling into a huge crevasse formed by a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Hundreds joined a mission to find him, but the search had to be stopped because of rock fall, reports Sky News.

Ulfar Ludviksson, the police chief in South Iceland, told local media that the rockfall meant they could no longer guarantee the safety of those working down in the crevasse.

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