TOPSHOT - People look at the lava flowing at the scene of the newly erupted volcano at Grindavik, Iceland on August 3, 2022. - A volcano erupted on August 3, 2022 in Iceland in a fissure near Reykjavik, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said as lava could be seen spewing out of the ground in live images on local media. The eruption was some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Reykjavik, near the site of the Mount Fagradalsfjall volcano that erupted for six months in March-September 2021, mesmerising tourists and spectators who flocked to the scene. (Photo by Jeremie RICHARD / AFP)

After less than a year of silence, lava is shooting out of the earth again in southwest Iceland. In the course of another volcanic eruption near the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, a crack in the earth has formed again, which has been running through a valley of the Reykjanes Peninsula for about 300 meters since Wednesday. The renewed outbreak could keep Icelanders busy for a long time, like last year.

The volcano erupted early Wednesday afternoon (local time) near Mount Fagradalsfjall. A series of earthquakes and underground magma movements had previously announced the eruption. Live footage showed glowing red lava gushing out of an elongated fissure in the ground. According to previous knowledge, there was no greater danger to people and the environment.

As the Icelandic weather agency announced in the evening, scientists created a first model in preparation for a risk assessment to predict the possible path of the lava flows. It was still too early for precise forecasts. Nevertheless, the model shows that it is unlikely that important infrastructure will be endangered by the outbreak, the authority said.

It is still unclear how long the outbreak will last this time. A previous eruption of the Reykjanes Peninsula’s underground volcanic system last year lasted from mid-March into September before being officially declared over in December after three months of standstill. It is believed to be the longest eruption recorded in Iceland to date.

Although the area is only about 30 kilometers from Reykjavik, there was no danger to people and surrounding places at that time. This time it seems to be similar: The Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on Twitter that the risk for populated areas and critical infrastructure is considered very low. There have also been no problems for air traffic, such as the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010.