Stay updated with breaking news from Magma. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
Iceland has declared a state of emergency and more than 3,000 residents have been urged to evacuate the small, coastal town of Grindavík as the country’s authorities anticipate the imminent eruption of a volcano in its southwestern peninsula.
Thousands are asked to evacuate from a town in the southwest over fears magma has spread underground.
In a statement posted on its website, Blue Lagoon Iceland explained, "After many days of seismic activity in the area, and a night with powerful earthquakes, the disruption to our guests and prolonged strain on our employees was the primary reason behind our decision." The spa attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, reaching a record 1.3 million in 2017.
Recently, in October 2023, an undersea volcano eruption led to the creation of a new island near Japan's Ogaswara island chain. Reportedly, this is one of those rare events that gives a glimpse into how nature works and how such islands are created due to Earth's geology and seismic activity. The new island, which has not been named yet, is about 100 meters in diameter and was created due to phreatomagmatic eruptions, which happen when magma comes into contact with seawater and creates explosive bursts of ash and steam.
Meteorologists believe the quakes are indicative of an incoming volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula.