From the scene - Video: Iceland volcano forms lava field

A large lava field has formed near the coastal town of Grindavík, Iceland, as the volcanic eruption to the north of the town continues.

Erupting with explosive force late Monday evening, the intensity of the activity has eased somewhat in the days since. As the eruption commenced, lava fountains shot more than 100 metres into the air from a fissure measuring almost 4 km.

Overnight, a hiker was rescued after becoming lost near the eruption site. The man flashed an SOS signal to passing aircraft and was later collected by helicopter and transported to safety.

Already the eruption is losing intensity. Dropping from a rate of around 200 cubic metres of lava per second to around 50 cubic metres in just two or three active areas.

Much of the lava still emerging from the earth is entering a large flat plain to the east of the fissure, creating a lava field.

Although residents of Grindavík were evacuated in November, it appears that the town is safe for now. The fissure from which the lava is emerging halted around 3 km away from the perimeter, although earthquakes in the build up to the eruption already caused millions in damages.

It is not just the residents of Grindavík, who will not be home for Christmas, facing risks. Volcanic eruptions release copious amounts of gas, including harmful gases like sulphur dioxide (SO2).

Volcanologists in the country expect the eruption to continue for at least another 10 days. In this time, the gases will be spread by winds. Currently, they are drifting easterly, away from populated areas.

Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavík, positioned around 40 km north-east of the volcano, is mostly outside the gaseous plume. Although, in the coming days the wind direction will change, as seen on the WindRadar.

Winds will initially weaken, and turn from west, to north, to east, by Saturday, which places Grindavik in the path of hazardous gases.

Stormy conditions after Saturday are expected to carry the gases into the Atlantic. Despite this, no disruption is expected to air traffic.