Volcano erupts in Iceland, Grindavik & Blue Lagoon evacuated

A volcanic eruption in southwestern Iceland has once again led to the evacuation of local residents and the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, according to the national broadcaster RUV.

The eruption started around 4 a.m. on Wednesday (July 16) after a period of intense earthquake activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula, located southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, the country’s Met Office reported.

Approximately 100 people were evacuated from the fishing town of Grindavik shortly after the tremors began. Tourists staying at a nearby campsite and visitors at Blue Lagoon spa had to leave in a hurry, RUV said.

Lava from the eruption is flowing southeast from a fissure in the landscape that is 700 to 1,000 meters (2,296 to 3,280 feet) wide, but the molten rock isn’t threatening any infrastructure, the Met Office said.

Despite the dramatic lava flows, no disruption to flights at Keflavík airport has been reported.

This latest eruption in the Sundhnúkur volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula is the 12th since volcanic activity reawakened in the region in 2021.

The Government of Canada updated its travel advice for Iceland late Wednesday, noting that “further eruptions could happen at any time and without warning.”

The Icelandic authorities have closed roads near the eruption site and declared a state of emergency in the area around Grindavík, the Blue Lagoon and Svartsengi powerplant, Ottawa’s notice reads, adding that flights to and from the airport “continue to run on schedule.”

Iceland is a major centre for volcanic activity, with 32 active volcanic systems located within three rift zones.

These zones are part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a vast underwater mountain range that stretches through the centre of the Atlantic Ocean.

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