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On Thursday night, November 21, Iceland witnessed the complete evacuation of Grindavik city and the popular geothermal resort, the Blue Lagoon, following a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. According to Icelandic online newspaper Visir, the eruption was accompanied by significant seismic activity and pressure changes in the region, which prompted immediate evacuation efforts.
The volcanic fissure, which stretches approximately three kilometers, has its southern end near the Silingarfell area. It is believed that over the past few nights, lava flows had reached about fifty homes in Grindavik. Police and civil defense teams swiftly coordinated the evacuation of both the city and the Blue Lagoon resort, ensuring a successful relocation of residents and tourists.
The eruption, which began at 11:14 PM on Wednesday, November 20, originated from a series of craters in the Sundhnux region. The increased seismic activity in the area, which had been detected earlier, indicated that pressure changes were occurring within the Svartsengi volcanic system, signaling the likelihood of an eruption.
On November 21, the Icelandic Meteorological Office confirmed the eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The fissure, which erupted, was measured at around three kilometers in length, with lava flows spreading both eastward and westward.
Meanwhile, Keflavik International Airport, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, assured the public that it was operating normally and had not been affected by the eruption.
In response to the eruption, the Civil Protection Department declared a state of emergency across Iceland. Volcanic activity is not uncommon in Iceland, as the country sits atop a major geological hotspot, with 33 active volcanic systems.
Notably, the Reykjanes Peninsula has seen several eruptions in recent years, including in March 2021, August 2022, July 2023, and again in January, March, May, and August 2024.
This continued volcanic activity remains a natural part of Iceland’s landscape, though it raises concerns for both residents and tourists alike.
