A volcano in southwestern Iceland that has erupted repeatedly for more than a year again belched lava and smoke into the air, just hours after authorities evacuated the few remaining residents of a nearby fishing village.

Tuesday's eruption also caused the evacuation of the Blue Lagoon spa, one of the country's top tourist destinations.

The town of Grindavik, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, was largely evacuated a year ago when the volcano came to life after lying dormant for 800 years.

Lava bursts through Grindavík's defense barriers as new volcanic eruption begins on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula

The eruption began near Grindavik, a small town long threatened by volcanic disruptions, and prompted the closure of a popular tourist destination.

Video from Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter shows lava from the eruption near the town of Grindavik. Thousands have been evacuated including the popular tourist destination, the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity and experiences an average volcanic event every five years,” Iceland's Civil Protection and Emergency Management shares on its website. “Icelandic authorities and the public are highly prepared for such events,

A volcano began erupting in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday, just hours after authorities evacuated a nearby community and the Blue Lagoon spa. Flames and smoke shot through the air as the volcanic fissure opened near the town of Grindavik,

A volcano began erupting in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday, just hours after authorities evacuated a nearby community and the Blue Lagoon spa. Flames and smoke shot through the air as the volcanic fissure opened near the town of Grindavik,