An Icelandic volcano began erupting shortly after 10 pm on Monday, December 18, following an earthquake, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Institute (IMO). This latest eruption, the fourth in two years, took place three kilometers from the town of Grindavik, which has 4,000 inhabitants. The town's residents were evacuated on November 11 after a state of emergency was declared in the region, following a major build-up of magma.

All roads around Grindavik are closed, the police announced on Facebook, adding that the population is not in danger in the current state of the eruption. "For the moment, there is no disruption" to air traffic, said Iceland's airport operator ISAVIA on its website overnight.