Tourists evacuated as Iceland volcano erupts opening up 1km-long fissure
The eruption prompted fresh evacuations from the nearby town of Grindavík, a luxury hotel, and the popular Blue Lagoon spa, Icelandic authorities said.
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said magma pushed through the earth's crust, opening a fissure estimated to be between 700 and 1,000 metres long.
The eruption sent glowing lava and columns of smoke into the air, with dramatic footage showing orange flows lighting up the dark volcanic landscape.
The outbreaks, known as fissure eruptions, are characterised by lava flows emerging from long cracks in the earth's crust, rather than from a central crater.
'(It does) not threaten any infrastructure at this time,' the IMO said in a statement. 'Based on GPS measurements and deformation signals, it is likely that this was a relatively small eruption.'
Despite the low immediate risk, authorities moved swiftly to evacuate areas near the site. According to Iceland's public broadcaster RUV, guests were relocated from the Blue Lagoon resort and residents were cleared from Grindavík.
The town, once home to nearly 4,000 people, was evacuated in 2023 and has remained largely deserted ever since, due to repeated volcanic activity and earthquake threats.
Flights at Keflavík airport, about 20km away, were not affected, and no major disruption to air traffic was reported.
The eruption is the latest in a growing sequence of volcanic events on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which began when dormant systems were reactivated in 2021 after centuries of silence. Experts warn the region could now face periodic eruptions for decades or even centuries.
'This is part of a new volcanic cycle,' the IMO has previously said, referring to the Reykjanes system, where magma often emerges through long surface fissures rather than traditional crater eruptions.
While past eruptions in the region have not ejected large volumes of ash into the stratosphere, the frequent lava flows and associated tremors continue to pose risks to infrastructure, geothermal plants, and communities in southwest Iceland.
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17 of the best hotels with swim-up rooms in Turkey
Snooze, swim. Snooze, swim. It's the ultimate in holiday relaxation, slipping between lounger and pool, and it's never easier than when you can swim right up to your room. Turkish hoteliers are never slow to embrace new trends, and there are swim-up rooms, apartments and suites in every type of hotel, from family-friendly all-inclusives to romantic boutique hotels. Not that relaxing in this sun-drenched, spectacularly beautiful country is ever difficult; it may not have the super-slow pace of the Greek islands, but Turkish hospitality is second to none, with families particularly welcomed. Throw in crystal-clear seas, fantastic food and the sense of a culture rich in tradition and history and it's not difficult to see why so many British holidaymakers return to Turkey for a relaxing week in the sun. These are the country's best hotels with swim-up rooms. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue £££ | SPA | POOL | 2 RESTAURANTS | Best for views The swim-up rooms at the Garcia also command the very best of the hotel's views over the lush green forests and sparkling waters of the Blue Lagoon. Each comes with a private poolside terrace, while inside you'll find rooms decorated in relaxing Mediterranean blues and natural finish wood (swim-up family suites are also available). Even if you go for one of the standard rooms you'll find plenty of swimming options, with four adult and two children's pools. And when you're ready to tear yourself away, it's just a short drive down to the beach. • Discover our full guide to Turkey £££ | SPA | POOL | 6 RESTAURANTS | Best for seclusion Most foreign tourists overlook the northern part of Turkey's Aegean coast, but it's worth a visit — the waters are bracingly cold and the temperatures less scorching than in the more southerly resorts. The high-end Paloma chain's Izmir offering is on a secluded part of the coast, right on a stretch of golden beach. Poolside rooms come with their own terrace and small tropical garden, offering maximum privacy and tranquillity. ££ | POOL | 1 RESTAURANT | Best for honeymoons The honeymoon suites at the Nautical are showstoppers: self-contained bungalows with their own private terraces and pools, set just metres back from a sparkling crystal bay that is for guests only. The emphasis at this tiny boutique hotel is on nature and relaxation: you can join meditation and yoga classes among the lemon trees in the garden, and enjoy laid-back acoustic live music events in the evenings. The cheaper rooms aren't too shabby either: individual stone houses are cleverly arranged to make you feel as though you're out in the wilderness on your own. £££ | SPA | POOL | 2 RESTAURANTS | Best for a stress-free break This luxury hotel occupies one of the best stretches of beach in Bodrum, where you can feel the soft white sand between your toes and dive into the refreshing crystal waters. The service is top notch: the hotel's personal assistant can organise everything during your stay, from restaurant bookings to excursion recommendations. Sumptuously designed rooms and restaurants stocked with high-end accessories will make you feel like one of the celebrities who frequent this part of the Turkish coast. 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Boy, 14, found frozen to death on volcano after posting haunting last video saying ‘I'm going to freeze my a** off'
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