Volcano in Iceland erupts for fifth time

A volcano in Iceland has erupted for the fifth time since December.

The fissure - which is a long surface crack - is 1.5 miles (2.5km) long and opened up near to the village of Grindavik, in the south west of the country.

Most of the 40,000 people living in the area were evacuated in November, but those who chose to stay have been advised to move for their safety.

On volcanoes, a fissure is a long fracture or crack at the surface from which lava erupts

Volcanic activity isn't usual in Iceland.

However, before December, volcanic eruptions hadn't been seen in this particular area for 800 years.

But, once a volcanic rift zone is active, it isn't unusual for lots of eruptions to take place one after another like this.

Officials have said that this fifth eruption may be the most vigorous in the area to date, with lava shooting 50 metres in the air.

Volcanic activity isn’t unusual in Iceland