The Reykjanes eruption is "unlikely, but not impossible" to impact air travel like the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcano that grounded planes for weeks, said Prof Matthew Watson, Professor of Volcanoes and Climate at the University of Bristol. "This type of eruption doesn't generally produce much ash, which is what tends to ground planes," he said. Unlike in 2010 when an eruption under a glacier caused explosive reactions with water that turned molten rock into harmful ash, volcanologist Dr Sam Mitchell of Bristol University said "The volcano is not erupting explosively with water. So people should not worry about the airspace over Europe because the current eruption is nothing like what happened with Eyjafjallajökull." The greatest risk locally is from volcanic fumes which are uncomfortable, especially to those with respiratory problems.

Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, faces potential gas pollution as a volcano erupts on the Reykjanes peninsula. The eruption follows weeks of earthquakes, prompting evacuations last month. The lava flow threatens Grindavik, with residents describing "crazy" scenes. The Icelandic Met Office warns of fumes reaching Reykjavik by Tuesday or Wednesday. Though visible from the capital, experts don't anticipate severe travel disruption. In 2010, a volcanic eruption caused significant air travel chaos in Europe. Presently, flights remain unaffected, and the eruption's power is decreasing, but gas concerns persist in Reykjavik. Authorities advise people to avoid the affected area.

The volcanic eruption on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula began Monday night, with lava and smoke soaring over 100 meters into the air. Experts, including Halldor Geirson from the University of Iceland, warn the eruption could persist for months. While most lava flows away from Grindavík, residents face uncertainty, and emergency protocols are in effect. The Blue Lagoon spa closed, and evacuations continue. Though Keflavik Airport remains operational, vigilance surrounds potential changes. Tourists witness the spectacular display, as 50 workers race to fortify defenses. Authorities monitor the situation, emphasizing safety and closely evaluating the evolving eruption.

Flight Radar reports that flights from Keflavik Airport are proceeding on schedule despite the nearby volcanic eruption. They state on X, "Our data reveals minimal impact on operations at Keflavik Airport (KEF) following the volcanic eruption at Grindavik, likely due to no ash cloud." Only 13 flights, 5% of departures and 4% of arrivals, were canceled in the past 24 hours. “Seismic activity together with measurements from GPS devices indicate that the magma is moving to the southwest and the eruption may continue in the direction of Grindavik,” the Met Office said. The Icelandic Coast Guard undertook daring operations, including ferrying a fishing boat to safety and assisting scientists in evaluating the erupting volcano.

China faces a double seismic blow as a magnitude-6.2 earthquake claims 111 lives in Gansu and Qinghai provinces. Hours later, a 5.5-magnitude quake strikes Xinjiang, adding to the nation's crisis. Gansu reports 105 deaths, 4,700 houses damaged, and 397 injuries. Rescue operations are underway, with power and communication lines disrupted. Chinese President Xi Jinping urges comprehensive efforts. The overnight low plunges to minus 15 degrees Celsius. In Xinjiang, the new quake triggers concerns, occurring amidst an already challenging situation. Tents and aid are dispatched as the nation grapples with the aftermath of nature's dual assault.

In a surprising turn, a volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted, sending lava fountains high into the air. The 2.5-mile fissure, located near the evacuated town of Grindavík and the Svartsengi Power Plant, is larger than anticipated, posing immediate threats despite prior evacuations. Volcanologists express concern over the fast-expanding fissure's unpredictability. Although no reported risk to residents, authorities caution against approaching, emphasizing this is "no tourist volcano." Despite weeks of seismic warnings, the eruption caught Iceland off guard. Airports remain open for now, but the unpredictable lava flow raises concerns about potential disruptions. Iceland, with its history of volcanic activity, faces yet another challenge in managing the aftermath.

A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake rocked northwest China's Gansu and Qinghai provinces, leaving at least 111 dead and over 230 injured. The quake struck near the border at 11:59 pm local time, causing extensive damage, collapsing houses, and disrupting power and water supplies in some villages. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive search and rescue efforts, emphasizing the proper resettlement of affected individuals. Emergency response teams are on the ground, tackling the aftermath of the disaster. The region, already grappling with the aftermath, braces for the challenges of rebuilding and recovery.

The Icelandic Met Office reported an eruption 4km northeast of Grindavik, revealing a 3.5km crack with lava flowing at 100-200 cubic metres per second—far exceeding recent Reykjanes peninsula eruptions. Vidir Reynisson, a senior police officer described it as a "quite large event" with lava flowing in all directions from a substantial crack. He also added, "The jets [of lava] are quite high, so it appears to be a powerful eruption at the beginning." Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir expressed hope in recent defenses, while President Gudni Johannesson prioritized life protection but emphasized efforts to safeguard structures. [Video: @Amr10062 on X]

The Icelandic Met Office confirmed the volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland, stating, "An eruption has started on the Reykjanes peninsula... about 3 km north of Grindavik." The eruption commenced at 22:17 following an earlier earthquake swarm. Unverified data suggests the triggering quake was a magnitude 4.2. A livestream displayed a fiery spectacle, with magma shooting into the sky. Volcanologist Þorvald Þórðarson noted, "There are super-high plumes of magma... the highest plumes are probably 150 metres. This may be close to the worst case imaginable. Unfortunately." The situation remains uncertain as experts monitor the volcanic activity. In response to escalating seismic activity, authorities evacuated Grindavik and has temporarily closed the Blue Lagoon spa. [Video: @shaksper on X]

After weeks of heightened seismic activity, a volcano erupted in Iceland, prompting the evacuation of nearly 4,000 people from Grindavik. The Meteorological Office issued a warning, stating, "Eruption has started north of Grindavik by Hagafell." Livestreams and images captured lava spewing from fissures. The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa was closed as a precaution. A coastguard helicopter was dispatched to assess the eruption's location and size. Despite the eruption, Reykjavik's international airport, located nearby, remained open. The incident follows concerns about potential volcanic activity in the Reykjanes peninsula.