Volcano Erupts in Iceland, Forcing Evacuations

A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Wednesday, leading to the evacuation of around 800 tourists from nearby hotels and resorts. This marks the fifth eruption since December, with lava spewing from a fissure in the Sundhnjukar mountain ridge and reaching heights of up to 150 feet.

The eruption prompted urgent evacuation orders for hundreds of tourists, including those at Iceland’s renowned Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Guests received a text message that read, “Evacuate, Evacuate!” as sirens, installed in February, began to blare. The Blue Lagoon announced on its website that it would be closed until at least Friday to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.

“Due to a volcanic eruption that commenced in Sundhnúksgígar on May 29, we took the precautionary measure of evacuating and temporarily closing all our operational units. We have made the decision to extend the closure throughout May 31, at which time the situation will be reassessed,” the message read.

Grindavík, a small fishing town with a population of about 3,000, has been repeatedly threatened by the volcanic activity. Barricades have been erected to divert lava flows away from the town's buildings. The town, located approximately 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik, was initially evacuated months ago when the eruptions began.

“Lava is flowing outside the defense walls at Grindavík in several places, and lava is also starting to flow outside the walls at Svartsengi,” Víðir Reynisson from Iceland’s Civil Defense reported. He emphasized the critical role of the defensive walls in protecting the town, stating, “The houses in the west and farthest part of the town would have gone under the lava if it weren’t for the defensive walls, but they are still standing and defending.”

Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, a geophysics professor at the University of Iceland, noted that the latest eruption caused “significant damage” to pipes and roads in the area. Despite the initial threat, Grindavík’s mayor, Fannar Jónasson, stated that the situation had improved by Thursday. “I like the situation quite well compared to how it looked at the beginning of the eruption yesterday,” Jónasson said.

Images and videos of the eruption shared online show dramatic scenes of lava spewing into the air from a massive crack in the ground, accompanied by billowing clouds of smoke.

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