Watch: Iceland volcano erupts after laying dormant for 6,000 years

The glow from the lava could be seen from the outskirts of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, which is about 20 miles away

A long dormant volcano in south-western Iceland has erupted and spilled lava (Icelandic Met Office/AP)

A volcano in south-western Iceland has erupted and spilled lava for the first time in 6,000 years.

Initial aerial footage, posted on the Facebook page of the Icelandic Meteorological Office, showed a relatively small eruption as two streams of lava ran in opposite directions down the Fagradals Mountain volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula.