A volcanic eruption has occurred on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland following a period of heightened earthquake activity. Approximately 4,000 residents of the fishing town Grindavik were evacuated earlier this month, and the nearby Blue Lagoon geothermal spa was temporarily closed. The eruption commenced north of Grindavik at 22:17 local time, according to the Icelandic Met Office. Although it is not anticipated to cause disruptions on the scale of the 2010 eruption that affected European air travel, the region around Reykjavik has experienced increased seismic activity since late October.