Volcano Eruption in Grindavik, Iceland
A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Wednesday for the fifth time since December, spewing red lava that once again threatened the coastal town of Grindavik and led to the evacuation of the popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.
Eruption Details
- The eruption began in the early afternoon following a series of earthquakes north of the town of 3,800 people.
- The eruption was estimated to be the area’s most vigorous so far, with lava shooting 50 meters into the sky from a fissure that grew to 3.5 kilometers in length.
- Barriers built to protect Grindavik deflected the flowing lava that cut off two of the three roads leading to town and was close to reaching the third.
Evacuation and Impact
“It’s a much larger volume that’s on the move right now headed for town,” Grindavik Mayor Fannar Jónasson told national broadcaster RUV. “The lava has already conquered [a lot].” Workers and anyone still in town were ordered to leave earlier in the day, police said.
The Blue Lagoon thermal spa — one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions — was evacuated before the eruption began.
Previous Eruptions and Background
- Grindavik has been threatened since a swarm of earthquakes in November forced an evacuation in advance of the initial December 18 eruption.
- The area is part of the Svartsengi volcanic system that was dormant for nearly 800 years before reawakening.
- The volcano erupted again in February and March, with the February 8 eruption cutting off heat and hot water for thousands of people.
Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hot spot in the North Atlantic, sees regular eruptions and is experienced at dealing with them.