Travel Impacted as Volcano Erupts for Second Time in Iceland - Blue Lagoon Closes Again

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 5:20 PM ET, Mon January 15, 2024

A volcano in Southwestern Iceland erupted yet again over the weekend, triggering the closure of a popular tourist site and the evacuation of a nearby town.

The volcanic activity started early Sunday morning before about 8 a.m. in Iceland. The eruption sent lava toward the town of Grindavik, which had already been evacuated hours earlier by local authorities, the Associated Press reported.

The eruption marks the second time in under one month that the volcano has been active and led to the closure once again of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular tourist stop. The lagoon had just reopened last week after closing in November in advance of the first time the volcano erupted.

By today however, local authorities said volcanic activity appeared to be fading, but they have not yet declared all danger passed.

Iceland's Meteorological Office said “it is difficult to estimate how long this eruption will last,”  according to a separate report from the Associated Press. The Blue Lagoon is expected to be closed at least until tomorrow.

Meteorological officials also said on Monday that: “Lava flow has decreased from the eruptive fissures that opened yesterday. Flow from the southern eruptive fissure, which emerged around noon yesterday near the town‘s border, seems to have ceased. The majority of the remaining lava flow is now directed southwest along the protective barriers, and its trajectory seems to have stabilized.”

Meanwhile, Iceland’s president has described the country as being is in the midst of battling “tremendous forces of nature.”

During a televised speech Sunday, President Gudni Th. Johannesson said a daunting period of upheaval has begun on the Reykjanes Peninsula” where a long-dormant volcanic system has awakened.

“We don’t yet know how this eruption will unfold, but we must still take those actions that are within our power,” the president said. “We will carry on with our responsibilities and we will continue to stand together.

“We continue to hope for as good an outcome as possible, in the face of these tremendous forces of nature,” the president continued.

The volcano initially erupted on December 18. The initial eruption also resulted in lava heading toward Grindavik, which is about 30 miles from Iceland’s capital. But by December 22, residents of the town had been allowed back to the village.

After the December 22 event, emergency workers began building walls designed to stop the lava flow.

There have not been any fatalities resulting from the eruption. However, in a new development, a workman has been reported missing after falling into a crack opened by the volcano.

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