Iceland’s Met Office says a volcano is erupting in the southwestern part of the country, hours after a nearby town and a geothermal spa were evacuated

A volcano is erupting in the southwestern part of Iceland, hours after a nearby town and the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa were evacuated.

Authorities in Iceland were forced by a new volcanic eruption to evacuate dozens of homes and shut down the hugely popular Blue Lagoon tourist attraction.

The eruption began near Grindavik, a small town long threatened by volcanic disruptions, and prompted the closure of a popular tourist destination.

A volcano began erupting in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday, just hours after authorities evacuated a nearby community and the Blue Lagoon spa. Flames and smoke shot through the air as the volcanic fissure opened near the town of Grindavik,

Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity and experiences an average volcanic event every five years,” Iceland's Civil Protection and Emergency Management shares on its website. “Icelandic authorities and the public are highly prepared for such events,