Reykjavik - A volcanic eruption occurred in Iceland on Saturday, marking the fourth such event since December, according to the country's meteorological office. The eruption, captured in footage from a Coast Guard helicopter and aired on public broadcaster RUV, showed vivid scenes of smoke billowing and bright orange lava spewing into the night sky.

The eruption commenced at 2023 GMT, with a fissure spanning approximately 2.9 kilometers, similar in size to the previous eruption in February, as reported by the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

Authorities had been anticipating an eruption for weeks in the Reykjanes peninsula, just south of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. The eruption site was located between Hagafell and Stora-Skogfell, matching the area of the previous outbreak in February.

Rikke Pedersen, head of the Nordic Volcanological Centre, noted the expected nature of the eruption, although its exact timing remained unpredictable. The first indications of activity near the surface emerged only about 15 minutes before the eruption.

Reykjavik's Keflavik Airport remained operational for both arrivals and departures despite the eruption. Lava was observed flowing southward toward Grindavik, a nearby fishing town, prompting its evacuation once again. The town had previously experienced evacuations due to eruptions, including one in January that resulted in the destruction of several homes.

Icelandic police declared a state of emergency for the affected area, and nearby attractions such as the Blue Lagoon luxury geothermal spa closed temporarily, a measure taken during previous eruptions.

Iceland, known for its numerous active volcanoes, attracts volcano enthusiasts from around the world. The country's geothermal activity has led to fears of continued eruptions for years to come, prompting authorities to implement measures such as building dykes to divert lava away from populated areas and critical infrastructure.

The Reykjanes peninsula eruptions typically involve fissures and are less likely to produce significant explosions or ash dispersal into the stratosphere. Gas emissions from the current eruption were reported to be dispersing westward over the sea.

Situated between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity as these plates diverge.