Lava flows into Blue Lagoon parking lot, destroys building after Iceland volcano erupts again
The eruption marked at least the seventh episode in the past year in which a fissure opened and released lava.
Watch: Lava shoots into the air from latest volcanic eruption in Iceland
Another volcanic eruption was reported in southwestern Iceland on Wednesday night, and drone video from the area shows lava shooting into the air from a fissure that opened up. Local officials declared a state of emergency and the area has been evacuated.
GRINDAVIK, Iceland – The popular travel destination Blue Lagoon in Iceland has been closed and evacuated Thursday after another volcanic eruption sent lava flowing over the facility’s parking lot and destroyed at least one service building, according to reports.
Cameras positioned around the Sundhnúkur volcano captured stunning images of the eruption lighting up the night sky shortly before midnight local time Wednesday.
Watch: Lava, smoke fill sky above Iceland after volcanic eruption
A video recorded in Iceland shows lava and smoke filling the sky after a fissure opened up during a volcanic eruption that began Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024.
"Last night at about 10:30 p.m., we had earthquake activity commencing again close to the eruption site from previous eruptions," an expert told Reuters. "So, the same fissure that has been active throughout (2024)."
She said pressure began to increase in boreholes, which meant a dike intrusion was underway and an eruption was likely imminent.
"The eruption started at 11:15 p.m.," she continued. "So, it was a very rapid progression of events. We knew that the pressure in the magma chamber feeding these eruptions was about at the level where we could expect an eruption."
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In response to the event, local authorities declared a state of emergency, which is commonplace after an eruption, and ensured that residents and tourists were safely evacuated from the potential danger zone.
The country dispatched at least one Coast Guard helicopter to the region to monitor the lava flow and assess whether any infrastructure might be compromised during the event.
According to a report from national public service broadcaster RÚV, lava began to quickly flow toward the Blue Lagoon resort Thursday. Protective barriers that had been built to protect the area seemed to have held back lava to divert it away from the facility itself.
However, lava did begin to flow into the Blue Lagoon parking lot, and at least one service building had been destroyed, RÚV said.
Watch: Sirens wail at Iceland's Blue Lagoon before volcano erupts outside Grindavik
Video recorded at Iceland's famous Blue Lagoon shows people evacuating as sirens wail in the distance warning of a volcanic eruption outside the seaside town of Grindavik on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
"Due to a volcanic eruption that commenced in Sundhnúksgígar on November 20, we took the precautionary measure of evacuating and temporarily closing all our operational units," the Blue Lagoon said in an urgent message on its website. "Blue Lagoon will be closed through Sunday, November 24, at which time the situation will be reassessed."
In addition to the Blue Lagoon, officials also evacuated the seaside town of Grindavik, which has been on edge since before the initial eruptions of the volcano began at the end of 2023.
WATCH A VOLCANO ERUPT OUTSIDE OF ICELAND’S CAPITAL
Watch: Stunning video shows Northern Lights glow above volcanic eruption in Iceland
A video recorded in Iceland shows a stunning display of the Northern Lights shining bright as lava shoots into the sky during a volcanic eruption on Friday, Aug. 28, 2024.
The eruption marked at least the seventh episode in the past year in which a fissure released lava.
Earlier in 2024, an eruption damaged the region’s main pipeline, which delivers hot water to homes and businesses that remain occupied.
Situated near the intersection of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity.
The island is home to approximately 130 volcanic mountains, though most are considered dormant.