Volcano could erupt next to Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon

Iceland is bracing for a possible volcanic eruption and the “most likely” place is now next to one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions.

Iceland’s famous geothermal spa Blue Lagoon – one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions – remains closed as the area braces for a possible volcanic eruption.

The Nordic island nation has been preparing for an eruption in the Reykjanes peninsula for weeks, with the southwestern town of Grindavik – home to about 4000 people – evacuated three weeks ago after magma shifting under the Earth’s crust caused hundreds of earthquakes in what experts warned could be a precursor to a volcanic eruption.

Now, the Icelandic Meteorological Office has warned the “most likely” place for an eruption is east of Sýlingarfell, next to the Blue Lagoon.

The office’s latest update at 5pm on November 29 (4am on November 30 AEDT) said about 150 earthquakes had been recorded near the magma intrusion in the area east of Sýlingarfell and the day before about 340 earthquakes were measured.

Most of the earthquakes have been smaller than magnitude 1.0.

The Blue Lagoon is one of the Iceland’s most famous tourist attractions. Picture: Getty Images

The ground at Svartsengi, where the Blue Lagoon is, is being lifted up at a rate of 1cm per day.

“Observed signs of inflow into the magmatic intrusion is now limited to the area east of Sýlingarfell,” the Icelandic Meteorological Office said.

“Despite the slowing down of seismic activity and deformation, an eruption is still considered to be possible. If an eruption does occur, the location thought to be most likely is east of Sýlingarfell.”

COSMO-Skymed interferogram spanning 24-hours between 18−19 November at 06:41. The broad uplift signal visible in orange/red around Svartsengi is indicative of a deep inflation (>5 km) taking place. Picture: Icelandic Meteorological Office

The Blue Lagoon was closed on November 9 with intentions to reopen one week later on November 16, but that closure was then extended until at least November 30.

The closure will now remain in effect until 7am on December 7, “at which point the situation will be reassessed”.

The Blue Lagoon has been closed since November 9 and will remain closed until at least December 7. Picture: Getty Images

“Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity, and has experienced three eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the last two years,” a Blue Lagoon statement said.

“Icelandic authorities and local communities are well prepared for such events, and Iceland has one of the world’s most effective volcanic preparedness measures. Iceland’s geoscientists possess vast experience in dealing with volcanic activities.”

In regards to the closure, Blue Lagoon said: “Considering disruptions to our guests’ experience and the sustained pressure on our employees, these precautionary measures were taken to ensure safety and wellbeing for all.”

A member of the emergency services walks near a crack cutting across the main road in Grindavik on November 13. Picture: Kjartan Torbjoernsson / AFP

On November 23, Icelandic Civil Protection authorities downgraded a state of emergency to a state of alert in the Reykjanes peninsula.

The Government of Iceland said the decision was made following the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s assessment that the probability of a sudden eruption in the town of Grindavík had “steadily decreased daily and the risk is now considered small”.

“The possibility of a volcanic eruption in the area above the magma tunnel, most likely between Hagafell and Sýlingarfell, still remains and it is possible magma could return to the tunnel beneath Grindavík, though this will be quickly identified through seismic and GPS sensors,” a statement said.

“Civil Protection and Emergency Management (CPEM) has advised that the area is still well patrolled and remains dangerous.”