Tourists warned not to travel towards erupting Icelandic volcano

Ikran Dahir
Updated
A view of lava after volcano eruption located close to Sundhnukagigar, about 4 kilometers northeast of Grindavik town of Reykjanes peninsula. (Getty)
A view of lava after volcano eruption located close to Sundhnukagigar, about 4 kilometers northeast of Grindavik town of Reykjanes peninsula. (Getty) (Anadolu via Getty Images)

Icelandic government and police have insisted that tourists and locals do not travel towards the site of Monday's volcanic eruption as onlookers attempt to get a glimpse of the lava site.

A volcano erupted on Monday evening in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula after weeks of earthquakes. The country evacuated thousands of people from Grindavik as a precaution after seismic activity was detected every day in November.

Iceland has been on standby since October, when earthquake activity was first detected. It is now the fourth time since 2021 that this very volcano has erupted, this is the largest so far. The earthquakes caused a 4km fissure. The government have said that fissures don't tend to cause large explosions.

People watch as the night sky is illuminated caused by the eruption of a volcano in Grindavik on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Marco Di Marco)
People watch as the night sky is illuminated caused by the eruption of a volcano in Grindavik on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Marco Di Marco) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Dramatic pictures from southwest Iceland showed lava spewing into the air and huge cracks in the ground - along with groups of locals and tourists watching the eruption from various vantage points.

Prior to the eruption, evacuated residents of Grindavik were allowed to return to get belongings, but the area is now sealed off. It may be months before residents are allowed to return.

At the same time, one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions, the Blue Lagoon, a thermal spa which had been closed down initially but then partially reopened at the weekend, has now been entirely closed due to the volcanic eruption.

Iceland volcano infographic. (Getty)
Iceland volcano infographic. (Getty) (Anadolu via Getty Images)

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The Blue Lagoon statement said: “Recent data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office suggests a reduction in the intensity of the volcanic eruption, potentially indicating that it is stabilizing.

“We will continue to monitor the progress and maintain close communication with the authorities, prioritizing safety and well-being.”

A volcano erupts on the Reykjanes Peninsula near the power station on December 18, 2023 north of Grindavik, Iceland. (Photo by Micah Garen/Getty Images)
A volcano erupts on the Reykjanes Peninsula near the power station on December 18, 2023 north of Grindavik, Iceland. (Photo by Micah Garen/Getty Images) (Micah Garen via Getty Images)

What advice has the Icelandic government given?

The government have said they are ‘well prepared’ as seismic activity happens regularly in Iceland. In a statement, the government of Iceland said: “People are strongly warned not to approach the area for their own safety and in order not to disrupt traffic and the work of responders.

Locals and tourists are sharing videos of the volcano with amazement on social media, with some trying to get as close as possible. The government have said the area has been closed off as responders and scientists are assessing the situation.

A local resident watch smoke billow as the lava colour the night sky orange from an volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula 3 km north of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 18, 2023. A volcanic eruption began on Monday night in Iceland, south of the capital Reykjavik, following an earthquake swarm, Iceland's Meteorological Office reported. (Photo by Kristin Elisabet Gunnarsdottir / AFP) (Photo by KRISTIN ELISABET GUNNARSDOTTIR/AFP via Getty Images)
A local resident watched smoke billow as the lava colour the night sky orange from a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula 3 km north of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 18, 2023 (Credit: KRISTIN ELISABET GUNNARSDOTTIR/AFP via Getty Images) (KRISTIN ELISABET GUNNARSDOTTIR via Getty Images)

The Icelandic Police have also warned the public and said: "An eruption has begun. We ask people not to be in front of the responders and not to go in the direction of the eruption. It is important that roads and other things are as accessible as possible."

Flights appear unaffected by the volcano. The government said: "There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open."

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