A POPULAR tourist attraction in Iceland has been forced to close following a volcanic eruption. The Blue Lagoon Resort in Reykjavík has been forced to shut its doors after a volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Wednesday (May 29, 2024). The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa and bathing spot on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula that welcomes more than 700,000 visitors each year.
However, the spa is currently closed to guests after a state of emergency was declared following a volcanic eruption in Iceland — the fifth time it has happened in three months. According to the Icelandic broadcaster RUV, the Blue Lagoon was evacuated before the eruption began on Wednesday afternoon. A statement on the Blue Lagoon website reads: "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.
" On Wednesday, red streams of lava were pictured spewing from the volcano following a series of earthquakes north of Grindavik. A new volcanic fissure (a surface crack where lava can be seen erupting) opened up near Sundhnuksgigar on the Reykjanes peninsula earlier this week. The Icelandic Meteorological Office (I.