Volcano erupts in Iceland for the third time since December

A volcano system in southwestern Iceland erupted for the third time since December on Thursday, with fountains of bright orange lava visible from Iceland's capital Reykjavík, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) away.

The eruption occurred at 6 a.m. on a mountain ridge on the Reykjanes Peninsula, according to the country's Meteorological Office, killing a significant portion of Iceland's population of about 375,000 people, although they appeared to be in no danger.

Iceland's Civil Protection Agency said the nearby Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa that is a popular tourist destination, was evacuated on Thursday morning.

Grindavik, a small fishing village of 3,800 residents closest to the volcano, was evacuated before the volcano last erupted in January, destroying part of the town. It remains empty.

Video taken from a Coast Guard helicopter showed a gorge estimated to be nearly two miles wide, with tall fountains of lava.

Volcanic eruptions are not uncommon in Iceland, but the volcanoes on the Reykjanes Peninsula were inactive for about 800 years until 2021, and there have been several eruptions since then.