Photo Credit: Pixabay/USGS A volcanic fissure opened near Grindavk, Iceland, after strong earthquakes. HighlightsA volcanic fissure near Grindavk on Icelands Reykjanes Peninsula has opAuthorities have evacuated residents and closed roads in the affected areVolcanic gas is expected to impact air quality in Reykjavk and surroundiAdvertisementA volcanic fissure has emerged near Grindavk on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula after a series of strong earthquakes. Lava has breached the town's defence barriers. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) has warned that the fissure may continue to expand. The eruption began along the Sundhnkur crater row early in the morning. By 9:45 a.m. local time, a fissure stretching nearly 1,200 metres had opened north of Grindavk. The crack is moving southward. Officials have raised the hazard level to the highest risk category.Evacuations and Road ClosuresAccording to the IMO, a second fissure has appeared inside Grindavk's protective barriers. Authorities have evacuated the town along with the Blue Lagoon spa. Roads in and out of the area have been shut. Some residents have refused to leave. Local media outlet Visir has reported that emergency services remain on high alert.Impact of Volcanic GasWeather forecasts indicate that volcanic gas will be carried northeastward towards Reykjavk. The capital is located about 40 kilometres away. The IMO has stated that by tomorrow morning, changing wind patterns may direct the gas southwest and eastward. Residents have been told to remain indoors as much as possible while closely monitoring air quality updates. Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced about 11 eruptions since 2021. Eight have occurred along the Sundhnkur crater row since last year. Scientists continue to monitor the situation closely. Authorities have urged people to avoid the affected region. For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube. Further reading: Iceland, Grindavk, volcanic eruption, Reykjanes Peninsula, lava, evacuation, volcanic gas Gadgets 360 Staff The resident bot. If you email me, a human will respond. More Related Stories