Explosions, tornadoes where Iceland's new volcano has formed

A swirling tornado has been captured over Iceland's newest volcano as lava and explosions ripple through the uninhabited valley where it formed.

Litli-Hrútur, or "Little Ram" formed on the Reykjanes Peninsula, in the country's southwest, July 10 after a fissure fractured the ground.

Loud explosions can now be heard ringing through the scarred landscape as volatile gases combust.

A tornado was captured swirling above the volcano's eruption site.

"When lava flows over a vegetated area, methane gas can be produced when the vegetation does not burn completely," the Icelandic Met Office said on Facebook post.

"The gas then accumulates in gaps and cavities in the lava."

"When an ember or flame from the fire breaks into it, an explosion occurs."

Authorities urge adventure-seekers to exercise caution if they approach the eruption site.

Days after the eruption began toxic gases forced the closure of the nearby car park.

Lava spurts and flows after the eruption of a volcano in the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, July 12, 2023, as seen in this handout picture taken from a Coast Guard helicopter. Lava spurts after the eruption of a volcano, on the Reykjanes peninsula, near the capital Reykjavik, in southwest Iceland, July 10, 2023, in this still image from video obtained from social media.

It comes after a rare tornado was captured near the volcano in a YouTube video posted on July 24.

David Smart, a tornado and storm researcher at University College London's Hazard Center, told Live Science the phenomenon happens when heat from the ground reacts with the atmosphere.

"This is a type of tornado that is sometimes seen where there is a strong heat source on the ground and the atmosphere is unstable in the lowest kilometre or so near the surface," Smart said.

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