REYKJAVIK, Iceland — Lava ripped through the dark hours of Wednesday morning on the Reykjanes Peninsula, forcing an overnight evacuation of the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and briefly unsettling guests in one of the country’s most visited regions.
Predawn alarms at the Blue Lagoon
The Icelandic Met Office confirmed that the eruption started at 4 a.m. local time after an intense burst of tremors rattled the southwestern tip of the island. Within minutes, staff at the renowned Blue Lagoon escorted overnight guests out of their rooms. Visitors bundled up, threw belongings into suitcases, and boarded waiting buses for safer ground in nearby Keflavik. According to the Met Office, the new fissure is between 2,300 and 3,300 feet long and lies in a barren lava field northeast of the fishing town of Grindavik. While glowing rivers of molten rock streamed southeast, officials said the flow was heading away from critical buildings, utilities, and major roads. “In a statement, the agency said the molten rock is not threatening infrastructure at this time.”
Grindavik: resilient, but still on edge
Grindavik, 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik, has lived with near-constant alerts since November 2023, when magma returned to the surface after roughly 800 years of quiet. The community endured at least seven eruptions in 2024, with an early-April event briefly closing the spa and pushing flames toward approximately 40 homes. This week’s activity again filled the crackling night sky with orange jets, yet civil-protection teams stressed that no homes were in imminent danger. A local campground, however, was emptied as a precaution, underscoring how quickly conditions can shift on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Why eruptions keep rattling the peninsula
Iceland straddles the boundary where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart. That restless geology feeds 33 active volcanic systems—more than any other European country—and creates the country’s signature hot pools and black-lava landscapes. While the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption remains the most disruptive episode for global air travel, the Reykjanes Peninsula has become a sustained laboratory for scientists since seismic swarms restarted in 2021. Researchers suspect the current cycle could last decades, producing intermittent fissure eruptions similar to those seen in the region during the 9th to 13th centuries.
What makes fissure eruptions different
Unlike the explosive ash clouds that grounded flights in 2010, fissure outbreaks on Reykjanes tend to be effusive—long curtains of fire releasing basaltic lava but comparatively little ash. For travelers, that usually means dramatic visuals rather than canceled itineraries, although local closures can happen with little notice.
Travel impact: what’s open and what’s off-limits
Blue Lagoon management said day-visit bookings for the next 48 hours have been suspended while geologists survey the new lava channel. The adjoining Retreat Hotel and Silica Hotel remain closed pending safety assessments. Keflavik International Airport, 13 miles from the eruption site, reported normal operations throughout Wednesday, and airlines did not announce schedule changes. The main Ring Road is also open, but Route 43—the spur that leads directly to Grindavik—was shut except for emergency vehicles.
Tour operators pivot
Local guides quickly retooled itineraries, swapping spa sessions for Reykjavik walking tours, glacier hikes on Snaefellsnes Peninsula, or northern-lights hunts farther east. Several companies emailed guests discount codes valid for future Blue Lagoon visits, acknowledging the spa’s allure for first-time visitors.
Tips for Travelers
- Enable text alerts: The Department of Civil Protection offers free English-language SMS warnings for seismic changes on Reykjanes Peninsula.
- Carry flexibility: Build a half-day buffer around spa reservations; Blue Lagoon historically reopens within days unless lava reaches critical infrastructure.
- Pack layers, not just swimsuits: Evacuations can leave visitors outdoors for extended periods, even at night when temperatures drop into the 40s Fahrenheit.
- Check airline advisories: While Keflavik rarely shuts for effusive eruptions, carriers post real-time updates on potential ash or wind shifts.
- Respect closures: Crossing police tapes to snag lava selfies can result in heavy fines and voided travel-insurance coverage.
Reykjanes eruptions and your itinerary
Is the Blue Lagoon safe to rebook next week?
Civil-protection officers will reassess after seismic levels stabilize. Historically, the spa reopens within several days, but each eruption is unique.
Could flights be canceled like in 2010?
Unlikely. The current fissure is effusive, producing little ash. However, travelers should monitor airline advisories in case wind patterns change.
Are other geothermal spas affected?
No. Facilities near Selfoss, Husafell, and North Iceland remained fully operational as of Wednesday afternoon.
How common are evacuations?
Since late 2023, the Blue Lagoon has been evacuated three times—once in early April 2024 and twice in 2025, including the latest event on July 16.
Can I visit the eruption site?
Only if authorities reopen designated viewing trails. Current heat levels and toxic gases make the area off-limits.
Looking ahead
Scientists warn that the peninsula’s magma plumbing is far from settled, meaning more flashes of fire are likely in the coming months. For travelers, Iceland’s volatile geology is both the draw and the challenge. A flexible itinerary—plus a pair of sturdy boots next to that swimsuit—remains the smartest suitcase strategy for anyone chasing the island’s otherworldly beauty. — as the Icelandic Met Office told reporters during a prepared statement.
