Iceland’s Blue Lagoon had to close for a while due to a volcanic eruption nearby. But now, this iconic natural spa is back open, offering some pretty extraordinary views.
According to ABC News on Friday (June 7), the Blue Lagoon hot springs reopened on Sunday after officials declared that the nearby volcano had stabilized.
The volcano erupted four days prior, marking its second eruption this year.
Oddny Arnarsdottir, head of Visit Iceland, mentioned that authorities have reconfigured the safety zones in the area.
So, the Blue Lagoon is back in business today.
What’s different this time? Well, now visitors can soak in the hot springs with the backdrop of an erupting crater. Previously, you’d relax with mountain views in the distance, but now you get to see the raw power of nature up close.
Tourists Cameron and Natalie Pacileo from North Carolina said they were thrilled to see the volcano from the lagoon.
“It’s so wild. The scenery is beautiful, and we’re happy they reopened so we can enjoy it,” they said.
The eruption happened on Wednesday, the fifth and strongest since the volcano became active again after 800 years of dormancy. The volcano spewed lava, creating a 3.5 km-long fissure.
On Sunday, the volcanic activity posed a threat to the town of Grindavik, leading to the evacuation of 3,800 residents. Grindavik is about 50 km from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik. The first eruption occurred on December 18, 2023.