Due to the threat of an eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, Iceland’s Blue Lagoon spa has temporarily closed its doors. The Icelandic Meteorological Institute (IMO) has issued a warning about “volcanic instability” that could last for decades and result in multiple eruptions throughout the peninsula. This comes after 800 years of no volcanic activity, which began in 2021 and may mark the start of a new eruption cycle.
The nearby town of Grindavík, around 40 kilometers southwest of Reykjavík, was evacuated when magma was discovered flowing underground for about 15 kilometers near the city. The underground movement caused damage to infrastructure, and there are concerns about possible toxic gas emissions if an eruption occurs.
Iceland is located on the mid-Atlantic ridge between two continental plates moving away from each other, resulting in regular volcanic activity and earthquakes. While an explosive eruption near Grindavík is not expected, there is concern about weaker eruptions that could lead to lava flow for weeks. The lava could potentially flow towards Grindavík, the Svartseng power plant, and even the Blue Lagoon itself.
Efforts are being made to build protective embankments near the Svartseng power plant, but experts believe that ongoing volcanic activity may eventually outmatch these protections in the long run. There are fears that nature may overwhelm these measures and put safety at risk in the area. As of now, the Blue Lagoon remains closed while officials continue to monitor potential risks associated with this ongoing volcanic activity.
Overall, this incident highlights the dangers of living near active volcanoes and underscores the importance of proper preparedness measures to minimize potential harm to both people and property.