On Tuesday, a volcanic eruption commenced in southwestern Iceland, leading to the evacuation of both visitors at the adjacent Blue Lagoon and inhabitants from neighboring areas.
Fire and smoke erupted into the sky when a crack appeared close to the town of Grindavík, located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik. According to the national broadcaster RUV, around 40 houses have been vacated due to this incident.
The inhabitants largely left this area on the Reykjanes Peninsula in 2023 as soon as the volcano erupted again following a slumber of 800 years.
Around 6:30 am local time on April 1st, a series of minor earthquakes commenced, akin to those preceding earlier eruptions. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), this was followed by an eruption located slightly north of the safeguarding boundary close to Grindavík, which started at 9:45 am.
Warning sirens started to sound when the orange-red fissure reached the town’s defence walls at around 10am. IMO has said that the fissure is now around 700 metres long, and “it cannot be ruled out that it may continue to open further south.”
“Emergency responders in Grindavík have noted that earthquakes can be sensed in the town, with indications of deformations also observable there, indicating that faults might shift within the town limits,” it stated.
Runólfur Þórhallsson, who leads Iceland’s civil protection efforts, stated that the eruption could potentially surpass recent events due to an extended magma conduit and significant accumulated molten rock.
Above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic lies Iceland, which experiences an eruption approximately once every four to five years on average.
Experts have cautioned that volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula has transitioned into a new phase, with the
frequency of eruptions
Having experienced an increase. This marks the 11th occurrence of such an event since 2021, when this recent eruptive phase started.
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon has temporarily shut down with no reopening date set.
One of Iceland’s major draws for tourists is The Blue Lagoon. When it became evident that an eruption was approaching, officials relocated visitors from the geothermal spa to adjacent accommodations.
The facility will stay closed until April 1st, after which the situation will be reassessed. According to a statement on their official website, all guests who have reservations during this interim closure period will be notified directly.
A ‘red alert’ has been issued for the town of Grindavík, and the area around it is closed off. It will remain closed until further notice.
According to Safe Travel Iceland, visitors have been urged to adhere to the closure rules and guidelines set by local authorities and to avoid the area until the situation has been evaluated.
In past eruptions, both visitors and local residents eager to witness the spectacular occurrence up close have been
continually advised to keep clear of Reykjanes
.
Although it has not been updated for the latest eruption, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office notes that volcanic eruptions and earthquakes frequently occur in Iceland because of the nation’s geological setting.
“In case of an eruption or broader seismic activity, adhere to the most recent guidance provided by the authorities,” it states. Additionally, travelers are advised to frequently monitor alerts and recommendations from them.
Icelandic Tourism Board
,
Icelandic Met Office
,
Safe Travel Iceland
and the
Almannavarnir Facebook Page
.
The impact of the eruption is presently confined locally and has not led to any issues at the adjacent Keflavík airport—Iceland’s principal international gateway.
Although ash clouds from past volcanic eruptions in Iceland have caused disruptions to international air travel, this particular event is not anticipated to have the same effect.
