Iceland Declares Emergency , After Volcanic Eruption .<br />On the night of December 18, a volcanic eruption <br />occurred in Iceland, causing a two-and-a-half-mile <br />fissure that had lava flowing toward nearby towns. .<br />NBC reports that the powerful eruption <br />threw molten rock 300 feet into the air.<br />As lava spewed across the Reykjanes Peninsula, <br />a state of emergency was declared <br />and tourist locations were closed. .<br />The eruption occurred in southwestern Iceland, <br />near the capital city of Reykjavik and <br />the Keflavik International Airport.<br />According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, <br />after weeks of anticipation, the long-expected <br />eruption was finally recorded at 10:17 p.m. local time. .<br />Since peaking shortly after the eruption, <br />the flow of lava has slowed. .<br />However, authorities remain vigilant and all <br />evacuated areas continue to be off limits. .<br />In November, over 3,400 people living in the small fishing <br />town of Grindavik, less than two miles from the fissure, <br />were evacuated after a series of earthquakes. .<br />Mayor Fannar Jónasson told the Icelandic public broadcaster <br />RUV that over 100 families from the town will be <br />in urgent need of housing until at least January.<br />Americans have been advised to avoid <br />the area surrounding the eruption <br />by the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik.
