Tourist Favorite Blue Lagoon Closed: Is Iceland Bracing for a Major Volcano Eruption?

① Temporary Closure of Blue Lagoon Hot Springs

The famous Icelandic Blue Lagoon hot springs have been temporarily closed. On the 9th (local time), the Blue Lagoon was closed until the 16th due to the prediction of an imminent volcanic eruption. After the earthquake, approximately 30 guests left.

The Blue Lagoon is a prominent tourist destination in Iceland. It uses naturally heated seawater from the earth’s heat. The mysterious color of the hot springs and the surrounding lava fields offer a picturesque landscape akin to a painting. The temperature of the Blue Lagoon averages 102.2°F, making it an ideal place to enjoy a hot spring.

However, with the fear of a volcanic eruption, the Blue Lagoon hot springs also cannot be exempt from potential danger. An alert has been issued at the airport.

Before the closure of the Blue Lagoon, thousands of earthquakes occurred around the Reykjanes volcanic ridge in Iceland over two days. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, about 1,400 earthquakes were observed from the Reykjanes volcanic ridge within 24 hours until noon the day before. An additional 800 earthquakes occurred from midnight to 2 PM that day. The earthquakes recorded that day included two of magnitude 5 and seven of magnitude 4.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office announced that these signs are similar to those observed the day before the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano in 2021. The seismic activity is similar to that about a month before the eruption. The Meteorological Office stated that in the most likely scenario, it would take a few days for the magma to reach the surface and initiate a volcanic eruption.

The Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted for the first time in 800 years. At that time, the eruption lasted for nine months. There was also a small-scale eruption that lasted for six days in August last year.

② Declaration of a State of Emergency

The Icelandic authorities have declared a state of emergency. On the 11th (local time), local authorities issued evacuation orders to about 3,000 residents living in the southwestern town of Grindavik.

The Icelandic Department of Civil Protection explained, “The decision to evacuate was made based on the Meteorological Office’s prediction that the currently forming magma could reach Grindavik.” The Icelandic authorities stated that residents must evacuate, but it is not an emergency evacuation. They emphasized, “We have plenty of time to respond, so it is necessary to stay calm.” The authorities added that the evacuation order was issued as a preventive measure for the safety of all residents, even though there was no immediate danger.

With this measure, most roads leading to the town, where approximately 4,000 people live, will be closed. The Icelandic Meteorological Office explained the situation: “Significant changes have occurred in seismic activity.” The Meteorological Office stated, “The vibrations are moving towards Grindavik for a day,” and “The amount of magma related is much more than what was observed in the largest magma intrusion related to the Fagradalsfjall volcano eruption.”

However, on the 12th (local time), the Meteorological Office announced, “There is a high possibility that magma will erupt from the southwestern city of Grindavik in Iceland within a few days.” Due to the current volcanic activity, some buildings and roads have been damaged. It was added that it has not yet been determined when and where the magma will erupt.

According to the geological model of the Grindavik area released by the Meteorological Office, about 9.3 miles of magma has penetrated the northwest underground of the city. In the worst-case scenario, the lava could damage the Grindavik village and the piping system supplying hot water to thousands of households heated by geothermal energy.

The fishing village of Grindavik has been experiencing frequent earthquakes since the Reykjanes Peninsula started shaking three years ago.

③ Volcanic Eruptions Every 4-5 Years on Average

Iceland is a country with frequent volcanic activity. Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, it is one of the most geographically active areas in the world. There are numerous active and dormant volcanoes, with about 30 active volcanic regions throughout the island.

In Iceland, volcanic eruptions occur on average every 4-5 years. Iceland exists between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which gradually split by about 0.79 inches(2 cm) annually. The mantle beneath the splitting tectonic plates comes out through the split, leading to a volcanic eruption.

In July last year, a volcano erupted in the Fagradalsfjall area of Iceland. The most damaging recent volcanic eruption was the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010, which spewed a vast amount of volcanic ash into the atmosphere, closing airspace across Europe. In August 2014, the highest-level red alert was issued as the Bárðarbunga volcano in the east became active.

By. Kim Min Jae