Iceland’s southern Reykjanes Peninsula has been experiencing intense seismic activity and repeated volcanic eruptions for months, with waves of evacuations taking place in the town of Grindavík and the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, which has been stuck in a cycle of closures and re-openings since November 2023.
Since the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) issued a warning on 29 February about a potential eruption that “could start with very little warning time, even less than 30 minutes”, which was restated on 2 March as an “imminent” fissure eruption, Blue Lagoon decided to immediately close down and evacuate all its guests on Saturday.
“Due to increased seismic activity in a known area, a few kilometres away from Blue Lagoon, and our unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our valued guests and staff, we initiated an evacuation of our premises today”, the spa said in a statement on Saturday. “As a result all our operations will remain closed for the remaining of today, Saturday, March 2, and tomorrow, Sunday, March 3, at which time the situation will be reassessed.”
We wish to inform guests that our operational units are located within an area at risk due to seismic activity as identified by the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
Blue Lagoon
On Sunday, IMO updated its hazard assessment, confirming that the seismic activity had slowed down, however, the risk of an eruption remains. Although Blue Lagoon opened its doors again today, it informed its guests that the spa remains in a risk area and that “facilities may be affected by earthquakes and potential volcanic eruptions”, which could prompt new sudden evacuations.
According to IMO, magma volume beneath the Svartsengi volcanic system continues to increase, which could lead to another magma propagation and there continues to be an increased likelihood of an eruption, with less than 30-minute warning time. The office’s calculations indicate the eruption is most likely to occur in the area between Mt. Stóra-Skógfell and Mt. Hagafell.
Authorities continue to closely monitor the area. Meanwhile, police have closed down the town of Grindavík, the area around it and the roads in the region to anyone except residents. Hiking in the area also remains prohibited until further notice due to the high risk of fissures and crevasses opening up in the ground because of the seismic activity.
