Watch: Icelandic Volcano erupts, spewing lava close to town of Grindavik

Aerial view taken on January 14, 2024 shows lava and smoke billowing over the landscape during a volcaninc eruption near the southwestern Icelandic town of Grindavik. Seismic activity had intensified overnight and residents of Grindavik were evacuated, Icelandic public broadcaster RUV reported. This is Iceland's fifth volcanic eruption in two years, the previous one occurring on December 18, 2023 in the same region southwest of the capital Reykjavik. Iceland is home to 33 active volcano systems, the highest number in Europe. (Photo by Halldor KOLBEINS / AFP)

A volcano in southwest Iceland erupted on Sunday (14 January), the country's meteorological office said, making it the fifth eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula since 2021.

A coast guard helicopter has been sent to assess the situation and the exact location, the Civil Protection agency said.