Iceland volcano: See livestream, photos of lava erupting on Reykjanes Peninsula

Emily DeLetter, USA TODAY
Updated ·1 min read
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A volcanic eruption began in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula on Monday night, as skies turned orange and lava began flowing.

The eruption, which Icelandic authorities had been preparing for since an earthquake swarm in November, is roughly 2 miles northeast from Grindavík, a town on the southwest peninsula of the island, according to the Icelandic Meteorologic Society.

Grindavík was evacuated as a precaution. The town, population around 3,400, is home to Iceland's Blue Lagoon, a human-made geothermal pool and famous tourist destination, which closed until at least Dec. 28.

The eruption is just over 30 miles from the country's capital of Reykjavik, which is home to the nation's main international airport, a bustling hub for transfers between North America and Europe.

Iceland volcano: Volcano erupts on Reykjanes Peninsula after earthquakes, evacuations

Iceland volcano eruption livestream

USA TODAY is providing a livestream of the eruption. You can watch live on YouTube or at the embed below.

Photos from Iceland's Dec. 18 volcanic eruption

A local resident watch smoke billow as the lava color the night sky orange from an volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula 3 km north of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 18, 2023. A volcanic eruption began on Monday night in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland's Meteorological Office reported.
A local resident watch smoke billow as the lava color the night sky orange from an volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula 3 km north of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 18, 2023. A volcanic eruption began on Monday night in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland's Meteorological Office reported.
The road is blocked at the entrance of the road to Grindavík with the eruption in the background, in Grindavik on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. A volcanic eruption started Monday night on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, turning the sky orange and prompting the country’s civil defense to be on high alert.
The road is blocked at the entrance of the road to Grindavík with the eruption in the background, in Grindavik on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. A volcanic eruption started Monday night on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, turning the sky orange and prompting the country’s civil defense to be on high alert.
This handout image shows an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter overflying an volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula 3 km north of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 19, 2023. A volcanic eruption began on Monday night in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland's Meteorological Office reported.
This handout image shows an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter overflying an volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula 3 km north of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 19, 2023. A volcanic eruption began on Monday night in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland's Meteorological Office reported.

Contributing: James Powel, USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iceland volcano: Watch live, see photos of eruption near Grindavík