Volcanic activity in Iceland forces evacuation of local residents and spa visitors
In a series of events reminiscent of the geological activity that has become increasingly frequent in the region, the Reykjanes volcano in south-western Iceland erupted on the morning of July 16, 2025. The eruption occurred at the Sundhnúksgígar fissure, located near the town of Grindavík and the popular Blue Lagoon spa.
The eruption opened a fissure estimated to be between 700 and 1,000 meters long, resulting in dramatic lava flows and smoke columns that were visible on live videos. As a precautionary measure, residents of Grindavík, tourists at a local campsite, and guests at the Blue Lagoon spa were evacuated. The evacuation, which lasted approximately 90 minutes, was described as smooth by the police commissioner, Margret Palsdottir.
The volcano in Grindavik had been dormant for 800 years before coming to life in November 2023. Despite the relative smallness of this latest eruption, it has led to the area around Grindavík remaining largely deserted since a previous evacuation in 2023.
In April 2025, an earlier eruption breached protective barriers near Grindavík, prompting evacuations. However, at the time of the latest eruption, the lava flow was not currently threatening infrastructure, according to the Icelandic Met Office.
Commissioner Palsdottir acknowledged that there may be differing opinions about the necessity of the evacuation, but emphasised that the decision was made and responsibility was taken for it. The Icelandic Met Office reported the seismic activity that preceded the eruption.
The eruption took place at approximately 4am on Wednesday, and a video of the event was released in August 2024. Residents and tourists at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa were among those evacuated, adding to the disruption caused by the event. Approximately 100 people were evacuated from the nearby town of Grindavik.
The Reykjanes Peninsula, where the eruption occurred, is situated south-west of Reykjavik, Iceland's capital city. Despite the disruption, the area remains a popular tourist destination, known for its unique geology and the iconic Blue Lagoon spa. As the situation continues to unfold, authorities will undoubtedly be working to ensure the safety of the community and visitors alike.
- The dramatic lava flows and smoke columns from the Reykjanes volcano eruption were widely captured on live videos, offering a stark display of the region's latest environmental-science event.
- As the region has been experiencing frequent geological activity, there may be varying opinions about the necessity of evacuations, as emphasized by Commissioner Palsdottir after the latest eruption.
- The eruption of the Reykjanes volcano in July 2025 has significantly impacted news headlines, providing a reminder of the science behind volcanic activity and its influence on the weather patterns in the area.
