Volcano erupts in Iceland, forcing evacuation of tourists and residents
Jeanine Santucci- A volcano south of Reykjavik, Iceland erupted for the eleventh time since 2021, prompting evacuations of tourists and residents.
- The eruption did not immediately disrupt air travel, though officials warned that winds could carry volcanic gas over the capital region.
Tourists and residents in Iceland evacuated Tuesday as a volcano eruption impacted the Reykjanes Peninsula for the 11th time since 2021 after lying dormant for 800 years.
The eruption, which began in the morning to the south of Iceland's capital of Reykjavik, was seen on video spewing lava and smoke. The fissure of the volcanic eruption had broken through protective barriers around the town of Grindavik, and had reached 1,200 meters, or nearly 4,000 feet, in length.
Officials said winds could carry volcanic gas over the capital region, but so far ash hasn't disrupted air travel.
Earlier Tuesday morning, geologists warned an eruption was imminent after an "earthquake swarm" began at about 6:30 a.m.
Blue Lagoon spa evacuated
Blue Lagoon, a luxury geothermal spa in Svartsengi in the southwest of Iceland, was evacuated ahead of the eruption on Tuesday morning. The spa is one of the top tourist destinations in the island nation.
The spa said it would be closed Tuesday and reassess conditions. It's been closed several times in recent years during volcanic eruptions.
There are protective barriers "safeguarding Blue Lagoon’s vital infrastructure against potential lava flows," the spa said on its website.
See photos of Iceland volcano eruption
Volcanic activity has left homes empty for a year
The recent eruptions at the Reykjanes Peninsula have left some residents displaced from their homes in the Grindavik fishing town for a year. Lava has penetrated protective barriers outside the town multiple times, reaching a hot water pipeline during the most recent eruption in November 2024.
The last eruption began Nov. 20 and lasted 18 days.
Geologists with Iceland's Meteorological Office warned a week ago that another eruption at the active Sundhnúkur crater row was likely as seismic activity increased in recent weeks. Magma was accumulating and pressure at the eruption site was increasing, officials said.
"An eruption could begin with very little warning," the Meteorological Office said March 25.
Tuesday's eruption was the eighth since late 2023, and the 11th since 2021. The Met Office said it could be the largest eruption in the latest sequence because the time since the last eruption was the "longest period of magma accumulation."
Contributing: Reuters