After several weeks of heightened seismic activity on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, a volcanic eruption has finally begun, not far from the island nation’s capital city.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported Friday night that the eruption had begun on the small mountain of Fagradalsfjall.

The development also spurred local authorities to change the volcanic flight color code to red for the first time in years, which indicates that an eruption is occurring.

The eruption is located in the middle of the peninsula, which connects the capital of Reykjavik to the Keflavik International Airport near its tip. The area is also near the popular Blue Lagoon hot springs resort, although there is no indication yet of any people or property being at any risk

Webcam images shared on social media seem to show a glowing red night sky reflecting the eruption as seen from Keflavik.

The Icelandic police are asking people to stay away from the area of the eruption for the time being.

An eruption has started at Fagradalsfjall.

We ask people to stay calm and not under any circumstances go close to the eruption site or on Reykjanesbraut. First responders need to be able to drive freely to assess the situation. Scientists are working on assessing the eruption.
— Almannavarnir (@almannavarnir) March 19, 2021

Volcanic eruption has begun in Fagradalsfjall. Flight color code is red but very little turbulence is seen on seismometers.

Volcanic eruption has begun in Fagradalsfjall. Flight color code is red but very little turbulence is seen on seismometers.
— Icelandic Meteorological Office - IMO (@Vedurstofan) March 19, 2021

The first image of the eruption. Taken from the Coast Guard helicopter. The southern end of the tongue is about 2.6 km from Suðurstrandarvegur. According to initial information, the fissure is about 200 m long.

Fyrsta mynd af gosinu. Tekin úr þyrlu Landhelgisgæslunnar. Syðri endi tungunnar er um 2,6 km frá Suðurstrandarvegi. Miðað við fyrstu upplýsingar er sprungan um 200 m löng. pic.twitter.com/MeRCLCtcrv
— Icelandic Meteorological Office - IMO (@Vedurstofan) March 19, 2021

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