Blue Lagoon Resort: World-famous Icelandic tourist spot forced to close for second time after volcano erupts

A world-famous tourist attraction in Iceland has been forced to shut for the second time this year following a volcanic eruption.

On Wednesday in Iceland’s southwest, a volcano erupted, and as a result, the Blue Lagoon Resort in Reykjavík was forced to evacuate guests, as reported by The Sun.

The Blue Lagoon, with its infamous geothermal spa and bathing area, is a staycation hotspot for more than 700,000 visitors per year.

Iceland has declared a state of emergency following a volcanic eruption for the fifth time in three months.

The Blue Lagoon was evacuated before the eruption began on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Icelandic broadcaster RUV.

A statement the Blue Lagoon posted on its website read, “Due to a volcanic eruption that commenced in Sundhnúksgígar on May 29, we took the precautionary measure of evacuating and temporarily closing all our operational units.”

“We have made the decision to extend the closure until May 31, at which time the situation will be reassessed.”

“All guests with bookings during this temporary closure will be contacted. Guests wishing to modify or cancel their bookings are kindly directed to use My Booking.”

A series of earthquakes north of Grindavik triggered red streams of lava to spew from the volcano on Wednesday.

On the Reykjanes peninsula near Sundhnuksgigar, a new volcanic fissure (crack at the surface from which lava erupts) opened up.

According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), the fissure stretches 2.4 km and continues to grow.

As a result, the coastal town of Grindavik was also evacuated.

Barriers have been installed to try to steer lava away from key areas, including the geothermal spa.

Luckily air travel to and from Iceland has not been disturbed with the airport remaining open.

Residents were only forced to evacuate due to similar circumstances in March; this was the fourth eruption in a short period of three months.

In November 2023, the Blue Lagoon experienced another forced closure, with 1,400 earthquakes hitting the area within 24 hours.

The Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, believes tourism could be to blame for the climate struggles.

Jakobsdóttir says, “Tourism has really grown exponentially in Iceland in the last decade, and that obviously is not just having effects on the climate.”

“Most of our guests who are coming to us are visiting the unspoilt nature, and obviously it creates a pressure.”

As a result, Iceland is proposing a tourism tax, which would look similar to a city tax where overnight guests would be charged for their stay.