The Icelandic town of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon thermal spa have been evacuated following a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, the 11th since 2021. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported an earthquake swarm from 6.30am local time at the Sundhnúkur crater row, with the eruption beginning at 9.45am just north of Grindavík's protective barriers.
By 10am, the fissure had reached the defence walls north of the town, triggering warning sirens. The IMO estimated the fissure at 1,200 metres long by 12.35pm, and a second fissure opened between the barriers and Grindavík. Lava and smoke were expelled, with magma spewing on the Grindavík side of the barrier.
The IMO warned that the fissure could continue to grow southward. Later, a broken hot water pipeline in northern Grindavík confirmed significant fault movements within the town. Volcanic activity decreased by afternoon, but seismic activity continued.
Grindavík, a fishing town of 3,800 residents, has been largely uninhabited since November 2023, when a previous eruption caused deep fissures. Most residents had relocated after the state purchased uninhabitable buildings. Regional police completed the evacuation except for a few residents who refused to leave.
Runólfur Þórhallsson, director of civil protection, urged those remaining to evacuate, warning the eruption could be larger than recent ones due to a longer magma tunnel and accumulated magma. The Blue Lagoon confirmed its closure and successful evacuation. The Icelandic tourist board stated there was no threat to the population and flights at Keflavík airport were operating normally.
