A volcanic eruption that started on Monday in Sundhnúksgígar, Iceland, is continuing to unleash lava and cause seismic activity, officials report. The eruption, located on the Reykjanes peninsula, has shown signs of diminishing, with the number of vents emitting lava decreasing from five to three. The flow of lava has also reduced to approximately one-quarter of its initial intensity. However, the eruption site remains active, with a third of the original fissure still erupting.

The Meteorological Office in Iceland has noted that the lava fountains from the eruption have decreased in height, reaching a maximum of around 30 meters (approximately 100 feet). Since the beginning of the eruption, more than 320 earthquakes have been recorded, with the strongest measuring a magnitude of 4.1. However, seismic activity in the area has significantly decreased since the eruption, with only 10 earthquakes recorded since noon on Tuesday.

The volcanic activity has led to geological changes in the region. The land surrounding the Svartsengi power station, a geothermal power plant, has sunk by approximately 5 centimeters (around 2 inches). Prior to the eruption, the land had risen by about 35 centimeters (approximately 14 inches) due to the accumulation of magma since November 10. It is uncertain whether the accumulation of magma will continue, and whether the land will rise again.

The eruption took place north of the town of Grindavik, prompting the evacuation of approximately 3,700 residents. The area remains closed off by the country's Civil Defense. President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson expressed vigilance and readiness, acknowledging that they are at the mercy of the forces of nature.

As the eruption continues, there is a possibility of additional vents opening along the original fissure or in the vicinity. The lead-up to the eruption revealed that there was a relatively short time frame of approximately 90 minutes between the initial indicators and the eruption itself. The Meteorological Office warned that the time frame for new vent openings could be similarly brief.

The eruption is located on a dyke intrusion that formed in November, and the fissure has been expanding southward. Scientists estimate that the lava discharged from the fissure is in the range of "hundreds of cubic meters per second." The largest lava fountains are observed on the northern end, and the lava is spreading laterally.

This recent eruption comes after months of heightened seismic activity in the region. Since late October, more than 20,000 earthquakes have been recorded, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency near the Mount Fagradalsfjall volcano on the sparsely populated Reykjanes Peninsula.

As the situation unfolds, authorities and scientists continue to monitor the volcanic activity in Iceland, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of these natural phenomena. The impact on the surrounding areas and potential future developments remain uncertain.