Emergency declared after volcano erupts in Iceland creating major fissure and fast moving lava flows

The eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in southwest Iceland, is the sixth outbreak since December.

Iceland's meteorological office recorded increased seismic activity and earthquakes at the volcanic hill, Sundhnukar, days before the volcano erupted.

A large fissure has opened up nearby, at the Sundhnukagígar crater north of Grindavik, with lava flowing both east and west.

One estimate by the country's Met Office suggests "the lava flow has travelled about 1km in 10 minutes".

Experts also said the total length of the fissure was about 2.42 miles (3.9km) and had extended by 1 mile (1.5km) in about 40 minutes.

Recent studies showed magma accumulating underground, prompting warnings of new volcanic activity in the area south of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.

The local police chief for the area has declared a state of emergency.

Meanwhile, Iceland's meteorological office said: "An eruption has begun. Work is under way to find out the location of the recordings."

The nearby town of Grindavik has been largely abandoned since late last year when nearly 4,000 residents were first ordered to evacuate.

The most recent eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, home to some 30,000 people, ended on June 22 after spewing fountains of molten rock for 24 days.

Authorities have constructed man-made barriers to redirect lava flows away from critical infrastructure, including the Svartsengi power plant, the Blue Lagoon outdoor spa and the town of Grindavik.

The popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa has been closed, while the Svartsengi area has also been evacuated.

Flights are currently unaffected.

Volcanic outbreaks in the Reykjanes peninsula are so-called fissure eruptions, which do not cause large explosions or significant dispersal of ash into the stratosphere.

-SKY NEWS