A volcano erupted on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland, prompting the evacuation of the nearby town of Grindavík and the popular Blue Lagoon spa. The eruption began at 09:45 local time, following a series of early-morning earthquakes in the Sundhnúk crater range. Within an hour, a fissure 700 meters wide had formed and continued to expand.
Most of Grindavík’s residents had already been permanently evacuated due to previous volcanic activity, but officials urged any remaining individuals to leave. Roads to the town remain closed, though flights are unaffected. The Blue Lagoon will stay closed through Tuesday.
Iceland’s Meteorological Office reported that the magma formation beneath the crater series is the longest recorded since November 2023. Gas pollution is expected to drift northeast toward the capital. The Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced multiple eruptions since 2021, marking the first extended period of volcanic activity there in 800 years. Iceland, which sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, has 33 active volcanic systems.
