Iceland's 'Earthquake Swarm' and Volcanic Eruptions Forces Evacuation of Tourists and Locals
A 5.2-magnitude 'earthquake swarm' and lava eruptions closed a popular Icelandic tourist destination and evacuated several communities around the country's Reykjanes Peninsula. The initial earthquake was followed by subsequent quakes of 4.9 and 4.6 near Grindavík and Vogar, respectively, according to USGS data.
At the time of publication, there are no air travel impacts for Keflavik Airport (KEF), which is on the Reykjanes Peninsula and is less than 30 miles from Grindavik.
The popular Blue Lagoon of Iceland in Grindavík is now closed for at least two days due to the emergency. The closure will continue through at least 3:00 pm local time on April 2, but could be extended as the situation is evolving. The Blue Lagoon is also home to The Retreat Spa, which provides treatments among the geothermal springs near the volcano.
'Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity and experiences an average volcanic event every five years,' Iceland's Civil Protection and Emergency Management shares on its website. 'Icelandic authorities and the public are highly prepared for such events, and Iceland has one of the world's most effective volcanic preparedness measures.'
A volcano near the earthquake site was elevated to "orange" level by the government's Meteorological office. The tier represents volcanoes that have exhibited "heightened unrest with increased likelihood of eruption or volcanic eruption is underway with no or minor ash emission."
The orange level is one level below red, the highest level. For context, the remaining measured volcanoes are all green, or normal.
Icelandic volcanologist Þorvaldur Þórðarson measured the highest recorded level of a magma chamber pressure, as he shared with local newspaper Iceland Monitor. 'I had anticipated a more powerful eruption at the start, but this is how Mother Nature works—she is in control, and it's her show. However, this could change at any moment,' Þórðarson told the publication.
This volcano was reportedly dormant for 800 years before awakening in 2023.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Miami Herald
It's Raining, You're Camping-Now What?
You can control many elements when vacation planning but the weather's not one of them. For my first solo camping trip, I would have dialed up days in the 80s with sunshine and a light breeze. Instead, I faced steady drizzle punctuated by torrential downpours with nighttime temps just above freezing. Here's how I made the most of my road trip between two of the Northeast's great mountain regions when Mother Nature delivered late fall instead of mid-spring. The writer's accommodations were hosted. All opinions are her own. The fundamental scout mott0 – be prepared – meant that I checked the forecast. And the news was grim. So I needed to adjust my packing. Out went the bug spray, high SPF sunscreen and bathing suit. Instead, I retrieved my winter clothes from storage, packing the following essentials: Lightweight Cuddl Duds long underwearZip-up Patagonia fleeceWaterproof LL Bean hooded jacketSmartWool hiking socks Once I knew I'd be (relatively) comfortable, I set about adjusting my activities for the trip. My trip wasn't a total washout because the Berkshire and Adirondack mountain regions are established vacation destinations with dozens of attractions. Once I wrapped my head around the fact that I wasn't going swimming or roasting s'mores, I filled my days with fun and my belly with the area's great food. I monitored the forecast closely and when damp pockets opened up between drenching downpours, I headed outdoors for some short hikes, being careful to watch my footing on slippery rocks and muddy trails. Here are my top picks for rainy day camping fun in the Berkshires and Adirondacks with sunshine alternatives if you get luckier than me! Hike to Bash Bish Falls A 20-minute hike from NY's Taconic State Park crosses the Massachusetts border and ends at the Commonwealth's highest waterfall. The final cascade of Bash Bish Falls plunges 60 feet into a crystal clear pool ringed by dramatic boulders. The ascent to the falls is uphill on a wide, rocky trail. If the Weather's Sunny: Longer hikes to the falls are accessible from NY's Taconic State Park and MA's Bash Bish FallsBike the recently repaved 3.6-mile section of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail in Copake FallsPedal boats and kayaks are available for campground guests at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills Flower Power at the Berkshire Botanical Garden I seek out public gardens when traveling to get inspiration for my own yard. The Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, MA, is a petite gem with trails winding through classic rose gardens and whimsical topiary installations. They were having a plant sale when I visited. I scored a cardoon plant – a spiky exotic with purple artichoke-looking flowers. And it was only $5. If the Weather's Sunny: Spacious Skies promotes a Spring Bloom trail linking its campgrounds. Pick a bouquet of local wildflowers such as Queen Anne's Lace, Bee Balm and Wild Blue Phlox to brighten your The Wild Center, a 115-acre, science-based nature exhibit with treetop bridges, playgrounds and a music-filled forest. Tour The Mount In 1902, author Edith Wharton designed The Mount, a grand European-style estate in Lenox, Massachusetts. She resided there for ten years, composing many of her most famous works from her bed, including Ethan Frome and The House of Mirth. She was the first woman awarded both the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and an honorary doctorate from Yale. Separate tours of the house and garden are included with admission. Seasonal ghost tours are popular, requiring a separate fee and reservation. If the Weather's Sunny: The woods at The Mount are meticulously maintained and feature outdoor sculptures worth Berkshires are home to the world-famous Tanglewood summer festival and Shakespeare & Company theater performances. They're less than 15 miles from Spacious Skies Woodland Skies Adirondack Peaks campground is an hour north of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, featuring a full summer schedule of concerts, dance, comedy and an annual jazz festival. Fort Ticonderoga – It's Revolutionary! Much of the action during the Revolutionary War happened in the region between the Berkshires and the Adirondacks, including the pivotal Battles of Saratoga in 1777. As America approaches its 250th birthday, historical sites are featuring special exhibits and programs. Fort Ticonderoga was seized by Ethan Allen, Vermont's Green Mountain Boys and America's most famous traitor Benedict Arnold in 1775. Costumed guides explain the fort's history and demonstrate colonial trades like shoemaking and tailoring. If the Weather's Sunny: Boat tours are a fun summer activity in the Adirondacks on both Lake Champlain, which separates NY from Vermont, and Lake George, one of the region's most popular family vacation George has a Six Flags Great Escape amusement and water park and Fort William Henry, which featured prominently in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. When it rains on vacation, I don't feel guilty indulging in two of my favorite pastimes: shopping and eating. Bouncing between boutiques, breweries and bistros was a fun way to pass rainy hours. Where to Shop I scored some unique treasures like a monogrammed cutting board from Vermont woodworkers JK Adams. At their Dorset, VT, factory and retail store, you can view the production facilities in action. Here are some of my top spots for shopping near the two Spacious Skies campgrounds where I stayed: MacKimmie Co. in Lenox is the place to go for hard-to-resist throws and a great selection of Frank and Eileen women's head home without pure VT maple syrup from the Sugar Shack. Bonus: They have an interesting, free Norman Rockwell Adirondack gear, camp apparel and a stellar downloadable playlist at Schroon Lake Department Store. Good Eats The dreary weather put me in a comfort food state of mind, so I gravitated towards cozy places with hearty plates like Jackson's Old Chatham House. My favorite discoveries include: The French onion soup and homemade pie are two excellent reasons to visit Pitkin's prime rib sandwich at The Old Heritage Tavern in Lenox was smothered in crispy onion bits and big enough to share, if you get a cup of clam chowder as a find a wide selection of craft beers at Paradox Brewery and solid pizza, too. Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks scheduled a weekend of activities for the Memorial Day holiday, including local food truck 80K Street Plates. Their $25 cold lobster roll was packed full of claw and knuckle meat. I was able to survive and enjoy my first camping trip for several reasons. I didn't stay in a cold, soggy were plenty of rain or shine activities Spacious Skies campgrounds had a fun vibe, despite the weather. Camp Accommodations You can rough it at Spacious Skies campgrounds or enjoy nature from the comfort of your RV. Both the Woodland Hills and Adirondack Peaks sites have multiple lodging options, including tent sites, retro trailers and cabins. I stayed in the Cosmos Cottage, a pet-friendly mobile home in Woodland Hills that comfortably sleeps six and has a stocked kitchen and two full bathrooms. The Cottage comes with complete linen packages, so you don't have to worry about packing sheets and towels. At Adirondack Peaks, my home was a bunk bed in a family yurt that also sleeps six and can accommodate your pets. Fortunately, there was a heating unit since the nighttime temps dropped to near freezing. However, there's no running water or bathroom in the yurt. I carefully planned my evening treks to the nearby bathhouse when there were pauses in the storm. The rhythm of the rain pelting the canvas was very soothing, and I had great sleeps in the yurt. The Spacious Skies concept of building a collection of campsites was launched in 2021. The goal of wife and husband co-founders Ali and Eric Rasmussen was to develop sites with a consistent feel in unique locations. The atmosphere is inclusive and welcoming to all; Spacious Skies is a proud partner of LGBTQ Outdoors and Black Folks Camp Too. My fellow campers included young couples traveling with their dogs and large families kicking off the summer season. One woman I met decided not to sell her 22-foot RV after her boyfriend died. She rented a site at Spacious Skies for the season and plans to commute from her home near Albany for weekends in the woods this summer. The friendly team at the Adirondack Peaks site sent out encouraging texts to guests inviting them to a polar plunge in the pool and an evening screening of The Incredibles in the open-air pavilion with complimentary bags of popcorn. Although I shivered through the movie, I couldn't help but smile. The kids were oblivious to the weather. They raced bikes, squealed into orbit on the massive jumping pillow and happily stomped through puddles. It was heartwarming to see children having fun at play without screens. I'm glad I didn't give up and go home. I awarded myself an imaginary Camping in the Rain merit badge. Will I try it again? Yes, but I'll probably book at the last minute when the forecast is sunny and dry. Read More: Rainy Day at Disney – Tips for Visiting Disney Parks in the Rain The Ultimate Family Camping Packing List Where the Locals Camp: Best Southern California Spots Best Camping Gear Essentials for the Great Outdoors The post It's Raining, You're Camping-Now What? appeared first on She Buys Travel. Copyright © 2025 SheBuysTravel · All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Yahoo
MSC Cruises' ship meets Mother Nature in scary situation
MSC Cruises' ship meets Mother Nature in scary situation originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. MSC Seascape recently faced the wrath of Mother Nature while in the Bahamas. Cruise Ships have state-of-the-art navigation and propulsion systems and can usually prepare to handle any weather situation that pops up, although sometimes they are vulnerable. They can weather heavy weather, storms, and sea conditions, but they have a weak in general are designed to withstand lots of forces applied to the decks and hulls and are built to last many, many years. Cruise ships can weather heavy seas, including 20-plus-feet swells and gusts exceeding 50 knots while at sea; however, the situation at the dock is a different story. MSC Seascape recently faced a squall line of wind and rain cutting through the Bahamas and over their exclusive island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. Seascape left Port of Miami Friday, May 29 for a Bahamian weekend cruise to Nassau on May 30 and 31 to Ocean Cay Marine Reserve. While Seascape was at the dock moored around 3 p.m., lines attached to the dock took heavy winds on their starboard side, and with too much pressure from winds, the lines exceeded their holding capacity. . How cruise ship captains keep you safe in bad weather (1:34) MSC Seascape was moored for the day for passengers to enjoy the private island and was scheduled to leave at 8 p.m. While passengers enjoyed the day on Ocean Cay, Mother Nature sent a squall line of weather that impacted their day. As passengers were heading back to the ship for safety and to get out of the wind and rain, the main bow lines began to snap/break, leaving the ships bow to go adrift. Immediately the alarm came from the ship. Crew sprang into action to secure the ship and hold passengers back from boarding as the ship unexpectedly pulled away from the dock and gangways, leaving everyone stranded. There was a passenger injured, but due to the fast-acting crew, there were only minor injuries, and the crew managed the emergency flawlessly as trained. In my 20-plus years working around ships and ports in the United States Coast Guard, I have a working knowledge and understanding of the dynamic forces that impact ships at sea and while moored at the dock. Let's look at some common questions: Cruise ships and weather: how do they deal with the ever-changing and unexpected storms? Cruise ships have weather forecasters on board, as well as crew trained to watch and forecast upcoming weather events that may impact their journey to destinations. What and how do they prepare for weather impacts? Cruise lines look at forecasts days ahead of their voyage, consider what they may face and constantly monitor while at sea or in a port. "Captains don't want to put a billion-dollar cruise ship in harm's way," is something Come Cruise With Me Executive Editor Dan Kline says a lot. . In this case with MSC Seascape at Ocean Cay, the ship was aware of a last-minute storm approaching. But like on land at home, in rare cases, storms can develop rapidly in hours or even minutes and can exceed expected forecasts. In this case, the storm produced heavy wind gusts that put significant pressure on the bow and starboard side where the securing/mooring lines failed, leaving the bow to go adrift. The bow of a ship is the lightest part of the ship and therefore more susceptible to being pushed around unless underway. When ships are at the dock, this is their weak point/most vulnerable spot as they are left to the winds, seas condition, and currents. As seen with Seascape, winds can impact the stability and security of the ship. When ships are at sea and underway (moving through the water), they have great control and can handle heavy storms and seas with ease. Ships' hulls direct the water around the ship efficiently and slice through the water, giving great control. This is similar to a Nascar racer driving at the Daytona 500. When driving at high speeds, the air/winds over the car apply down pressure, giving the car an ability to go faster with more control and stability. However, when cruise ships are docked/moored, or adrift without propulsion, they are in peril to Mother Nature and the forces of the seas and winds. Cruise ship mooring lines can hold enormous pressure, but they have a breaking point. Mooring line breaking strength (MBS) is how they are rated. Typically, a 4' mooring line (typically used by cruise ships) made of Dyneema (polyester, nylon, polypropylene) can hold a million pounds of pressure applied and extreme pressures. But forces like UV [rays], extreme heat, and salt water can alter or diminish the strength of the lines and their ability to optimally perform under high pressure when applied unexpectedly or relentlessly. In the case of MSC Seascape, the perfect storm, in a sense, struck the ship from the side and pushed the mooring lines beyond their limits. This can happen, and ships can only prepare for the expected, not something that very rarely happens. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Yahoo
Norwegian Cruise Line faces scary weather incident
Norwegian Cruise Line faces scary weather incident originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Although the tropics were quiet as the Atlantic hurricane season kicked off on June 1, May 30 and 31 brought unusually high winds to multiple ports around the world where cruise ships were docked. Winds gusts in certain ports were so strong that large cruise ships struggled to remain tied up at their docks, creating rare dangerous situations for both passengers and crew from multiple cruise two of the three windy-weather related incidents even led to passenger injuries. In all cases, fast-acting crew members and port workers prevented the situation from becoming much worse though. Whether a ship is docked in Alaska, Italy, or The Bahamas, cruise ship crew members are well trained to respond when Mother Nature decides to push mooring ropes and bollards to their breaking points. Doug Parker shared more details on all three of the cruise ship accidents Mother Nature caused during the windy weekend, and other cruise news including Carnival Cruise Line's latest effort to enforce cruise rules, on the June 2 edition of Cruise News Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning. Here's your cruise news for Monday, June 2. A windy weekend — Yeah, high winds knocked a gangway into the water off Holland America's Westerdam on Friday while docked in Ketchikan, Alaska. Gusts around 69 miles an hour caused the ropes to snap and the ship detached from the pier. Tugboats though quickly came in and assisted the ship back to the pier now. No injuries were reported and a crane did lift the gangway out of the water. All passengers eventually re-boarded the Westerdam meanwhile in Sicily, strong winds caused a mooring bollard to give way sending a Norwegian Epic passenger into the water on Friday. The gangway collapsed as the ship started drifting away from the pier sending the woman into the bay. She was rescued by her husband and both were treated for minor injuries. The Norwegian Epic was delayed leaving port. Now closer to home, an MSC ship broke free from the dock during a squall at Ocean Cay that injured one guest as well. Busy Cruise Line is reinforcing its 'Have Fun. Be Safe' policy with updated reminders now in every stateroom fleetwide. Rules include a 1 a.m curfew for minors, noise restrictions, and a $500 fine for doing things like smoking or tossing items overboard. And all illegal substances are prohibited even if it's legal in port. This push follows a series of onboard incidents including a recent brawl in Galveston involving 24 cruise stocks were up on Friday. Carnival Corporation: up slightly, 23.22, Royal Caribbean: up 1.1 percent, 256.97, Norwegian: up slightly, 17.65, and Viking: up a half percent — that's at 44.64. If you have a lead on a story, let us know: tips@ Have yourself a great Monday. I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
