On Tuesday, April 1st, authorities were forced to evacuate the towns of Glindavik and Blue Lagoon Spa in southwestern Iceland, as the volcano erupted.
This is the 11th event like this has now been happening since 2021, highlighting why the country is known as one of “fire and ice.” As a result of this natural phenomenon, red alerts were issued, and hundreds of small earthquakes were felt.
Local police reports show that, despite previous warnings had been issued, around 40 homes in the town of Glindavik were still occupied at the time of the eruption.
What is a volcanic eruption in Iceland?
“The cracks are currently about 500 metres long, violating the Northern protective barriers in Glindavik,” the Icelandic Met office said in a statement. “The cleft continues to grow and we cannot rule out that it may continue to open further south.”
The volcano, Sundhnúksgígar, is located south of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, and currently air traffic is not affected. However, emergency services are taking precautions as the Met Office has confirmed that “magma eruptions have begun.”
Is Baro Abunga Volcano active?
It is located in the same area as the Balo Albunga volcano, which erupted in January 2025 after being dormant in January 2025 for over 800 years. As reported in globalnewspherewhich damaged the roads and homes in Glindavik. This, in turn, has mass evacuations organized, but some have returned.
At the time, President Gudni Johannesson said, “A period of intense and turbulent lies on the Reykjanes Peninsula.” Experts who predict this pattern of seismic activity could last for decades, or even centuries, he may be right.
The significant impact of the Icelandic volcanic eruption came back in 2010 when Eijafjaradjokol volcano produced a serious cloud of ashes. This disrupts my transatlantic air travel for months until the ashes were completely dispersed.
To you – Will the risk of a volcanic eruption discourage you from visiting the most susceptible places?
