Icelandic volcano explodes near capital as lava pours out after quake

A volcano erupted on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula near its capital earlier today following a strong earthquake in magnitude 5.2 which shook the country earlier today

The eruption began earlier this afternoon about 30 miles from Reykjavík, the nation's capital

A volcano has erupted near the Icelandic capital, spouting molten lava after a massive earthquake shook the country earlier today. The eruption began earlier this afternoon about 30 miles from Reykjavík, the nation's capital, on the Reykjanes peninsula.

This followed a massive 5.2 magnitude earthquake recorded earlier in the day in the country. Experts expected an imminent eruption after more than 1,500 smaller earthquakes were recorded in recent days.

Geophysics professor Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson said: "The rising lava flows south and then has quite a long way down to the road, quite a few kilometres. It can be said that given possible effects, this is not an unlucky place for an eruption. This may change.

Residents have been asked to stay away from the area

Magma has been spotted in a large fissure on the Reykjanes Peninsula

"We are only at the beginning and we just have to wait and see what will happen...