Iceland Volcano Erupts, Triggers Evacuations Near Grindavik
A volcano erupted on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland on Tuesday, sparking evacuations in nearby Grindavik and the popular Blue Lagoon spa. The eruption began at 9:45 a.m. local time, with a fissure opening in the ground and rapidly extending to about 1,200 meters by 11 a.m. The town of Grindavik, with a population of around 4,000, had already been evacuated due to the ongoing seismic activity in the area. Authorities also closed roads leading into the town and temporarily shut down the Blue Lagoon spa for safety.
This eruption, one of several in the region since 2021, follows months of volcanic unrest, with lava now flowing close to Grindavik’s protective barriers. "There is lava coming within the barrier at the moment, but it's a very limited eruption so far," said Rikke Pedersen, head of the Nordic Volcanological Center. No major ash cloud has been reported, and air traffic remains unaffected, but experts are monitoring the situation closely as new cracks continue to form in the ground.
While the eruption is not expected to cause immediate damage to Reykjavik, experts warn that the volcanic activity could persist for years or even decades. Iceland, sitting on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, experiences frequent volcanic eruptions, with the current series of eruptions being the most active in 800 years. The Icelandic Meteorological Office continues to track the eruption, urging those in the affected areas to stay alert.
