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.

As magma stirs beneath the surface, a notorious Icelandic volcano threatens to awaken once more, sending ripples of fear through nearby towns and retreats.