Lava flows as Iceland volcano erupts again

Public broadcaster RUV and other local media reported the eruption on Thursday with livestreams from the area showing fountains of bright-orange molten rock spewing from fissures in the ground.

The previous eruption started on January 14 and lasted roughly two days, with lava flows reaching the outskirts of Grindavik.

The fishing town's 4000 residents had been evacuated.

It was not immediately clear if Thursday's outbreak would affect Grindavik.

Icelandic authorities in November started building dykes that can help divert burning lava flows away from homes and critical infrastructure.

Despite downgrading the volcanic system's threat level, the local authorities have warned of further eruptions as land continued to rise in the area due to magma accumulating underground.

Iceland has more than 30 active volcanoes, making the north European island a prime destination for volcano tourism.

Earlier this week, an insurance company boss said lava flows from the January eruption had destroyed dozens of buildings.

Hulda Ragnheidur Arnadottir, director of the Natural Catastrophe Insurance of Iceland, told broadcaster RUV that more than 400 damage claims had come in so far from Grindavik.

Of those, 53 buildings have been declared a total loss, including 30 residential properties. More than 260 claims still need to be investigated.

With DPA

Australian Associated Press