The Foreign Office is warning that Iceland has begun experiencing ‘intense seismic activity’, which could lead to a volcanic eruption.

In an update to its travel advice on Thursday, it said the activity had been detected on the Reykjanes Pensinsula, which is the most densely populated region of Iceland.

Located in the southwest of Iceland, the peninsula’s best-known tourist attraction is the Blue Lagoon.

The Foreign Office advice said: “A volcanic eruption may start with short notice. Police have advised people to stay away from the area.”

The Reykjanes Peninsula is only a short drive from the international airport and the capital, Reykjavik.

Iceland last experienced a major volcanic eruption in 2010, which sent an ash cloud nine kilometres into the sky, causing 100,000 flights to be grounded over a six-day period.