Iceland volcano erupts on Reykjanes Peninsula

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Iceland's meteorological office on Friday said that the vigor of an eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula had slowed after it erupted for the sixth time since December on Thursday.

The Icelandic Met Office said the activity was now "mostly confined" to the fissure that initially erupted and a second that opened north of the first one.

"Seismicity decreased rapidly after 4 a.m. However, ground extension continues north of Stora-Skogfell, which suggests that the eruption has not reached equilibrium," the office added.

The new eruption east of Mount Sylingarfell is near the area of an eruption that happened in May. The Norwegian Meteorological Office and Iceland's Civil Defense officials said they have teams investigating the latest incident.

The Met Office said Friday's seismicity from the volcano has been "fairly stable" at the northern end of the eruptive fissure. The Iceland Coast Guard plans to conduct a flight over the area on Friday night.

Iceland's Foreign Ministry said the volcanic activity so far has been limited to a localized area near the eruption site and does not present a threat to life and there have been no international or domestic flight disruptions.