The Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most popular tourist destinations, has been evacuated due to ‘increased seismic activity’ – again.
Magma has been churning underground around the lagoon just east of Sýlingarfell on the southern Reykjanes Peninsula since last week.
For now, it seems the magma oozing about 2.5 miles underground has stopped flowing and the earthquakes that hint an eruption is on the cards have ceased.
‘However, while the situation remains uncertain, an imminent fissure eruption cannot be ruled out,’ the Icelandic Meteorological Office said yesterday.
So no one can blame the Blue Lagoon for closing its doors just in case.
‘Iceland is a land of constant change. Seismic and volcanic forces have shaped and transformed the island for millennia,’ the company said in a statement on its website.
‘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.
‘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.’
Thousands of earthquakes began shaking the peninsula late last October, with three eruptions following. It’s to be expected, experts say, given its home to the Sundhnúkur crater row.
While it’s easy to think of a volcanic eruption as lava shooting out of a mountain, the Reykjanes Peninsula keeps its magma hidden underground within lava fields and cones that ruptured out of fissures.
Known for its turquoise water, the geothermal spa Blue Lagoon is just by Grindavik, a fishing town cracked open by volcanic eruptions last year and again in January.
Grindavik has once again become a ghost town after more earthquakes began yesterday, Iceland’s national broadcaster RUV reported.
On Friday, the regional police force said in a Facebook statement that the danger posed by the pavement splitting open due to tremors is ‘considerable’.
‘Residents and employees enter the town at their own risk. Everyone must be responsible for their own activities or inactivity. The Chief of Police clearly states that Grindavík is not a place for children or children to play,’ it said.
‘In the work area of the Blue Lagoon and HS energy,’ Suðurnesjum police added, referring to the Icelandic energy provider, HS Orka, ‘there is a considerable risk of lava flow.’
State weather officials estimate about 8.5-9,000,000 cubic metres of magma has accumulated beneath Svartsengi, home to a key power plant.
Between eight and 13,000,000 cubic metres of magma is the range where a volcanic eruption is considered possible, the Icelandic Meteorological Agency says.
‘There remains an increased likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the coming days. The most likely scenario is that a volcanic fissure opens in the area between Mt. Stóra-Skógfell and Mt. Hagafell which could occur with a very short warning time,’ the weather service said on Thursday.
Iceland’s SafeTravel service, run by the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, hasn’t issued any warnings for tourists.
Current advice remains the same as the police: Grindavik remains off-limits and hiking in the area is prohibited.
Britain’s Foreign Office has also not issued any new advice, again cautioning against visiting the area.
Neither has Ivasia, which operates airport services. The closest has been a ban on drones being flone within 4km of the possible eruption site.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
MORE : Arsenal can maintain their title challenge with a huge win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane
MORE : Masked thugs with machetes storm teen boxing event over ‘family feud’
MORE : Woman ‘raped at knifepoint and husband beaten’ on dream world trip
Get your need-to-know
latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
