Lava flows towards Blue Lagoon resort as Iceland volcano erupts again

Lava reached the Blue Lagoon parking lot, but barriers have so far prevented major damage.

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A volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula erupted for the seventh time since December, sending plumes of smoke into the sky and bright orange lava flowing across the region.

The eruption, which began late Wednesday night with little warning, forced the evacuation of nearby Grindavik and the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

Photo: Reuters

The latest eruption, which marks the 10th in the region since 2021, occurred at approximately 11:14 p.m. local time, with the fissure created by the eruption stretching about 1.8 miles.

While seismic activity had been minimal in the days prior, the eruption peaked early Thursday morning at around 2 am.

“Seismic activity did not start increasing in the weeks leading up to this eruption,” said the Icelandic Meteorological Office. “The first signs of eruption appeared only 45 minutes before it began.”

As of Thursday, no casualties have been reported. Authorities said there was no immediate danger to the region, though gas emissions from the eruption are expected to move southward, out to sea. Emergency officials confirmed that there were no disruptions to flights, though nearby roads were closed.

Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a geophysics professor at the University of Iceland, said lava from the eruption had reached the parking lot of the Blue Lagoon. "Barriers to protect Grindavik, the Blue Lagoon, and the nearby Svartsengi Power Plant have been effective so far,” Gudmundsson added. “There is no guarantee that they will hold, but with the lava flow slowing, the area is not at serious risk right now.”

Photo: Reuters

The eruption is smaller than the previous one in August, but its timing and proximity to populated areas have raised concerns. The town of Grindavik, about 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik, was evacuated smoothly, with around 50-60 homes affected. Local authorities confirmed that residents were well-prepared for the evacuation, which was conducted without incident.

The Blue Lagoon, a major tourist attraction, was closed on Thursday. The spa, which sits near the site of the eruption, was temporarily evacuated as a precautionary measure.

The Reykjanes Peninsula has been experiencing heightened volcanic activity since 2021, with several eruptions over the past few years. However, scientists caution that predicting the full scope of future eruptions remains difficult. Gudmundsson noted that past volcanic activity in the region could lead to a period of relative calm lasting up to 150 years.

Officials are continuing to monitor the situation closely, as the eruption remains ongoing.