Iceland has experienced a dramatic geological event as an “earthquake swarm” in the Sundhnúks Crater Row culminated in a magma eruption near the iconic Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa central to the nation’s tourism industry.
This volcanic activity has forced evacuations, disrupted travel plans, and raised concerns about the region’s immediate future. Multiple news outlets have reported on the unfolding situation, providing insights into the seismic activity, the eruption’s impact, and the response from authorities.
According to Newsweek, the earthquake swarm began at 6:30 a.m. local time on the Sundhnúks Crater Row, an area between Sýlingarfell and Stóra-Skógfell.
Iceland’s Meteorological Office noted that this location is consistent with previous eruptions, stating that the swarm was “followed by a clear change in deformation and pressure changes in boreholes.”
By Tuesday morning, magma had erupted from craters near the Blue Lagoon, prompting its immediate evacuation along with nearby settlements like Grindavík.
The publication emphasized the economic stakes, describing the Blue Lagoon as “a cornerstone of Iceland’s tourism economy” and warning that its closure could disrupt local livelihoods and international travel.
The BBC News corroborated these developments, reporting that the eruption followed the evacuation of the Blue Lagoon.
Their coverage highlighted the rapid escalation from seismic activity to volcanic eruption, with magma breaching the surface and forming a fissure approximately 500 meters long.
Iceland’s Met Office, as cited by the BBC, noted that this fissure had already breached a protective barrier north of Grindavík and could potentially extend further south, heightening risks to the area.
Posts on X have also reflected the urgency of the situation. One user, @volcaholic1, reported early Tuesday that “GPS data and pressure readings show noticeable changes, suggesting that magma is moving and a volcanic eruption is likely to follow.”
Another user, @diar_esthetic, added that over 250 tremors were recorded near Grindavík due to the magmatic intrusion, with evacuation efforts largely successful—though eight individuals reportedly refused to leave.
These real-time updates from X align with official reports and underscore the widespread attention this event has garnered.
The Newsweek article further detailed the response from authorities and the Blue Lagoon management.
A spokesman for the resort confirmed to the outlet that it is “temporarily closed due to magma intrusion,” while Icelandic officials have warned that an eruption could occur with little notice even before magma surfaced. Residents and travelers have been urged to monitor updates and comply with evacuation orders.
The Icelandic Met Office’s statement, as quoted by Newsweek, emphasized the ongoing nature of the crisis: “The fissure continues to grow, and it cannot be ruled out that it may continue to open further south.”
This eruption marks yet another chapter in Iceland’s long history of volcanic activity, a consequence of its position atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge.
The Sundhnúks Crater Row has been a focal point for such events in recent years, with similar earthquake swarms and eruptions noted in the past.
For instance, a 2023 report from OTV News recalled how 1,400 earthquakes in 24 hours led to the Blue Lagoon’s closure over eruption fears, hinting at the region’s persistent volatility.
