A fresh volcanic eruption in southwestern Iceland has prompted another evacuation of residents and guests from the renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, according to RUV, the national broadcaster.
Iceland’s Met Office reported that the eruption commenced at approximately 4:00 AM local time on Wednesday, following a period of intense seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula, located southwest of Reykjavik, the capital.
Around 100 individuals were evacuated from the town of Grindavik shortly after the seismic activity began. Tourists at a campsite and visitors to the Blue Lagoon were also quickly evacuated, RUV stated.
Margret Kristin Palsdottir, a local police commissioner, confirmed the evacuation proceeded smoothly, taking around 90 minutes.
“Naturally, opinions differ on the necessity of evacuation, but it’s a decision we make and take responsibility for,” she commented.
The Met Office indicated that lava is flowing southeast from a fissure spanning 700 to 1,000 meters across the barren landscape. However, the molten rock currently poses no threat to any infrastructure.
Grindavik has been repeatedly impacted by volcanic activity since November 2023, when a volcano in the region became active after an 800-year period of dormancy.
