Volcano eruption in Iceland, live: news and breaking news

The volume of a volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula “continues to decrease”, with lava flows falling to just a “quarter” of the levels seen on Monday, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said in a statement.

The IMO added that gas pollution may be noticeable on Tuesday in Vestmannajjar, an archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland, but other populated areas would not be affected.

However, depending on the weather forecast, gaseous pollution could reach the capital, where Reykjavik is located, on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, according to the International Maritime Organization.

The International Maritime Organization said the magma sources are lower than they were at the beginning of the eruption, “reaching about 30 meters at its highest point,” equivalent to about 98 feet. The Met Office added that there are currently five sources of eruption spread along the original volcanic fissure, but the length of the fissure has not changed.

Meanwhile, Landsnet, Iceland’s energy distribution agency, has raised its alert to “emergency level,” a spokesperson told CNN in an email.

Landsnet is “studying possible lava flow scenarios and assessing whether further preparations are needed to protect transportation infrastructure,” the spokesperson said.

The company is looking to build defenses around three power poles located outside the protective wall around the Svartsinje power station, but a spokesperson told CNN they do not expect any power outages.

The spokesman added that the main power line supplying the Reykjanes Peninsula, called “Suðurnesjalína 1”, was not affected by the volcanic eruption and is not in any danger.