Huge volcano erupts after 5.2-magnitude earthquake and spews lava

The eruption is located about 19 miles from Iceland’s capital Reykjavik (Pictures: Reuters)

A volcanic eruption has shook Iceland after a spate of earthquakes recorded over the weekend.

Footage from a drone shows the lava flowing on the Reykjanes peninsula near the capital Reykjavik.

It comes after intense earthquake activity in the area, the country’s Meteorological Office (IMO) said today.

‘At the moment, it is a very small eruption,’ Matthew Roberts of the service and research division at the IMO stressed.

Smoke billowing from the flowing lava (Picture: AFP)

On Sunday, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook the whole of Iceland, one of the strongest in recent days.

There are no disruptions to arrivals and departures at the main airport, Keflavik, as of yet, according to the website.

A statement from the IMO read: ‘An eruption has started just northwest of Litli Hrutur.

‘Last night a M 5.2 earthquake was detected just ESE of Mount Keilir. This event is the largest one in the current seismic activity. Aftershocks are very likely and can reach up to M4.

A man standing in front of the volcanic eruption near Litli Hrutur (Picture: AFP)

‘Two earthquakes over M4 were detected yesterday morning, the larger a M4.3 at 8.28am located next to Keilir.

On July 8, an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 was detected at lake Kleifarvatn. This quake is most likely caused by stress changes.

‘Since July 4, over 1,200 earthquakes have been detected between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir. The current swarm is caused by a dike intrusion beneath the area.’

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