03 March 2024 , 11:07
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The world-famous Blue Lagoon in Iceland has been forced to evacuate after nearby seismic activity suggested a volcanic eruption is "imminent".
According to the country's public broadcaster, RUV, magma began flowing after a period of "intense seismic activity" in the highly active Reykjanes Peninsula area near the lagoon The Icelandic Met Office reported an "intense swarm of microseismic activity" to the east of Sylingarfell on Saturday evening.
They said the activity began at the southern end of the fissure that formed on December 18, 2023, during the first eruption after weeks of earthquake activity. That activity indicated that magma movements had begun and "a fissure eruption is likely". It comes less than a month after a huge lava pool was spotted heading for the popular tourist destination.
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It's not the first time volcanic activity has shut down the Blue Lagoon (AFP via Getty Images)
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As a result of the danger, the iconic geothermal spa, known for its milky-blue warm waters, was closed. In a statement on its website, posted Saturday, Blue Lagoon said: "Due to increased seismic activity in a known area, a few kilometres away from Blue Lagoon, and our unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our valued guests and staff, we initiated an evacuation of our premises today.
"As a result all our operations will remains closed for the remaining of today, Saturday, March 2, and tomorrow, Sunday, March 3, at which time the situation will be reassessed... We will continue to closely follow the guidelines and recommendations of the authorities, working collaboratively with them to monitor the progression of events. This commitment aligns with our unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our valued guests and staff."
Iceland's iconic Blue Lagoon has closed over fears of a volcano eruption (Getty Images)On Saturday afternoon, seismic activity began to move further south - closer to Grindavik, a town that has spent weeks and months battling against the relentless landscape around them. Three homes in the town were destroyed in January, with many residents abandoning their homes and coming to the realisation they may never be able to live in Grindavik again.
In a later update at 7.10pm UTC, the Icelandic Met Office issued a further update, saying: "A this point, the seismicity that began just before 6pm UTC today has ceased. It is thus considered likely that the magma intrusion has stopped temporarily or is significantly diminished.
"However, minor deformation continues to be measured in the area, so it is too early to assert that the magma intrusion has ended, and that there will not be an eruption at this time. When magma intrusions occur, deformation can be measured for several hours after the seismic activity stops.
Molten lava is seen overflowing the road leading to the famous Blue Lagoon, near Grindavik, on February 8, 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)"The Icelandic Meteorological Office continues to monitor the area to observe whether the activity resumes in the next few hours, or if the magma intrusion has halted completely. It remains possible that magma could ascend to the surface, as has been observed in eruptions near Fagradalsfjall."
Volcanologist Thorvaldur Thordarson told RUV it seems there has been some displacement of the magma, lowering the internal pressure in the chamber. He said it may now take a few days for pressure to build up again to a level for something like an eruption to happen.