Spectacular footage has emerged of a volcanic eruption in south-western Iceland that has again forced the evacuation of tourists at the internationally known Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

The eruption began on Wednesday (local time), following an intense seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Peninsula, south-west of the capital, Reykjavik, Iceland’s Met Office said.

A camp site in the town of Grindavik was evacuated shortly after the seismic activity began.

Guests at the Blue Lagoon were forced to quickly pack their bags, national broadcaster RUV reported.

Lava from the eruption was flowing south-east from a fissure in the barren landscape that was 700-1000 metres wide, but the molten rock was not threatening any infrastructure, the Met Office said.

Grindavik has been repeatedly affected by the activity since November 2023 when a volcano in the area came to life after lying dormant for 800 years.

But authorities said on Wednesday it was not in danger.