Iceland’s renowned Blue Lagoon and the adjacent town of Grindavik are currently undergoing evacuation due to a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, as reported by Iceland’s national broadcaster RÚV on Saturday.
Lava is swiftly moving northward from Grindavík, mirroring the eruption’s behavior on February 8, according to observations from the Icelandic Met Office shared by RÚV.
The eruption has created a fissure approximately three kilometers long, stretching from Stóra-Skógfell to Hagafell.
The Blue Lagoon, situated less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital and largest city, stands as one of the nation’s most sought-after tourist destinations.
This attraction is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, a prominent landmass jutting westward into the North Atlantic Ocean from Reykjavik. The peninsula not only hosts the Blue Lagoon but also serves as the site for Iceland’s primary airport, Keflavik International.
Iceland ranks among the globe’s most volcanically active regions. The Reykjanes Peninsula is characterized by a rift valley instead of a single central volcano, showcasing an array of lava fields and cones.
Earlier in March, the lagoon had to be evacuated due to seismic activities. Furthermore, in November, it was closed for a week following the detection of 1,400 earthquakes within a 24-hour period.
This story is still unfolding and further updates will be provided.