Tourists and Residents Evacuated as Volcano Erupts in Iceland
An eruption in south-west Iceland has forced the evacuation of both locals and tourists, threatening a nearby town and the popular Blue Lagoon spa.
A dramatic volcanic eruption in south-west Iceland has triggered the evacuation of residents and tourists as lava spews from a growing fissure near the town of Grindavik. The eruption began on Tuesday morning and has since carved a fiery 1.2 km (0.75 mile) crack in the earth, accompanied by multiple earthquakes throughout the day.
The volcano is located near the fishing town of Grindavik and the well-known Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Although most residents heeded evacuation orders, a few reportedly chose to remain in their homes despite the threat.
Grindavik local Asrun Kristinsdottir told the BBC that she fled early in the morning after emergency sirens went off. Having lived near the volcano for most of her life, she always kept emergency bags ready—but this time felt different. "The quakes were constant," she said, describing the uneasy moments before leaving.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), protective barriers around the town have been breached by the lava, with a new fissure opening just a few hundred meters inside the safety zone. Kristinsdottir, who also serves as the president of Grindavik’s town council, called the activity "extremely difficult" to witness.
Police Commissioner Ulfar Ludviksson confirmed that most people had evacuated, but a small number in seven or eight homes chose to stay. Volcanologist Rikke Pedersen warned that lava could soon reach inhabited areas.
The situation worsened when a hot water pipe in the northern part of Grindavik ruptured, signaling significant underground movement and cracking within the town.
Fortunately, by early afternoon, the eruption had begun to ease. Thormar Omarrson, a longtime resident who once ran a pizza restaurant in Grindavik, said he moved away with his family in 2024 after authorities raised concerns. "Leaving was heartbreaking," he said. "My family was born and raised there. Now their community is gone."
Omarrson added that some of his friends had refused to leave, expressing a deep attachment to their homes despite the risks.
Grindavik has been under threat for some time. Most of its 4,000 residents evacuated in 2023 due to heightened volcanic activity, and the region has experienced several eruptions since.
Tuesday’s eruption marked a significant geological event. The magma corridor extended roughly 11 km (6.8 miles)—the longest recorded since November 2023—and stretched about 3 km further northeast than previous eruptions. The IMO warned that gas emissions from the eruption could reach the capital area, depending on wind direction.
The eruption began around 09:45 local time (10:45 BST), following a series of earthquakes near the Sundhnuk crater range.
The Reykjanes Peninsula, where the eruption occurred, has seen multiple volcanic events since 2021. This marks a return to a period of volcanic activity not seen in 800 years—when eruptions on the peninsula continued for decades.
Iceland sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a tectonic boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates, and is home to 33 active volcanic systems.
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