Lava from a large volcanic eruption in Iceland appeared to be flowing away from the only town in the area, geologists and rescue officials said on Tuesday. It offers hope that homes will be spared.
The eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland spewed lava and smoke more than 100 metres (330 feet) into the air after weeks of intense seismic activity.
It comes after about 4,000 people were evacuated from the fishing town of Grindavik last month, about 40 km (25 miles) southwest of capital city Reykjavik.
Iceland has been braced for volcanic activity for weeks. The region around the capital Reykjavik has been experiencing an increase in earthquake activity since late October.
The eruption opened a 4 km (2.5 mile) fissure from which lava fountains emerged. But at its southernmost point the crack was still 3 km away from Grindavik, Iceland's Meteorological Office said.
"The eruption is taking place north of the watershed, so lava does not flow towards Grindavik," geologist Bjorn Oddson told public broadcaster RUV.
Located between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates, among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hot spot because the two plates move in opposite directions.
Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland’s civil protection and emergency management, told the Icelandic public broadcaster RUV: “The magma flow seems to be at least a hundred cubic meters per second, maybe more.
“So this would be considered a big eruption in this area at least.”
Is it safe to travel to Iceland?
All roads to Grindavík are currently closed and the government is advising people to stay away from the area. However, Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal, and the capital city of Reykjavik and the rest of Iceland have not been impacted by this eruption.
"The eruption does not present a threat to life," an Icelandic government statement said.
"There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open."