Iceland volcano erupts, Blue Lagoon car park covered in lava

According to a report by the Iceland Monitor on November 21, a volcanic eruption has impacted tourism infrastructure on the Reykjanes Peninsula and forced the evacuation of the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions.

Helga Árnadóttir, Blue Lagoon's manager of sales, operations, and services, confirmed that the facility will remain closed until Sunday, November 24. Management is continuously assessing the situation.

According Árnadóttir, "It is impossible to tell the damage at this point, but we will see this better as time goes on and how we can respond."

Guest evacuation 

The Blue Lagoon has managed the evacuation by transferring hotel guests to alternative accommodations in Reykjavík or Reykjanesbær. 

All customers with existing bookings will be contacted, and guests can modify or cancel bookings through the official website.

Volcanic activity overview 

The current volcanic activity involves a three kilometre fissure that opened on the Reykjanes Peninsula, with lava moving at approximately 100 miles per hour. 

According to Iceland Review, heavy machinery has been used to strengthen the protective barriers around the Blue Lagoon, filling in gaps where the access road and lagoon approach meet the barrier. 

Arnar Smári Þorvarðarson, a supervisor overseeing the work, explained that lava is slowly moving along the barrier towards the lagoon. The situation is being closely monitored, and road repairs will likely begin once conditions improve.

This is the seventh eruption since December 2023, emerging from the Svartsengi volcanic system. This system was dormant for approximately 780 years before recent activity.

Travel considerations

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