A volcano once dormant in southwest Iceland erupted Wednesday for the 12th time in four years as nearby resort towns were evacuated as a safety precaution.

The eruption began early July 16 on the Sundhnúkur Crater Row, about 30 miles southwest from the capital, Reykjavik. See images of the eruption.

An official said the eruption near Reykjavik, the 12th in four years from the same volcanic system, posed no threat to people or infrastructure.