A POPULAR tourist attraction in Iceland has been forced to close following a volcanic eruption - the second time this year.
The Blue Lagoon Resort in Reykjavík has been forced to shut its doors after a volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted yesterday.
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.
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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 (IMO) said the new fissure stretched for 1.5miles and was continuing to grow.
The coastal town of Grindavik, which is home to around 3,800 people, was also evacuated on Wednesday.
In a bid to prevent any further damage, barriers have been erected to steer lava away from key points of infrastructure in the area, including the Svartsengi geothermal power plant and the geothermal spa.
Grindavik Mayor Fannar Jónasson told national broadcaster RUV: "It’s a much larger volume that’s on the move right now headed for town. The lava has already conquered [a lot]."
Air travel to and from Iceland hasn't been impacted by the latest eruption, with Keflavik International Airport operating as normal.
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This isn't the first time Iceland has been forced to close its tourist attractions because of volcanic activity, with this week's eruption marking the fifth since December.
Residents in the Reykjanes peninsula were also forced to evacuate their homes in March when fountains of molten rock burst from fissures in the ground.
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The March eruption marked the fourth "alarming" eruption in just three months, with others taking place in December 2023, January 2024 and February 2024.
Back in November 2023, the Blue Lagoon was also forced to close after 1,400 earthquakes hit the area in the space of 24 hours.
The earthquakes prompted safety fear prompted fears of a volcanic eruption, with the tourist attraction closing its doors as a result.
The Fagradalsfjall volcano also erupted last year- although Keflavik Airport remained open during this period.
Meanwhile, in 2010, the country's Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, spewing huge clouds of ash into the atmosphere.
More than 100,000 flights were grounded, stranding millions of international travellers.
Air travel was halted for days because of concerns that the ash could damage jet engines.
The ash clouds led to widespread airport closures across Europe.
Iceland's proposed tourism tax
The European hotspot could soon start charging holidaymakers who stay overnight in the country.
In an interview with Bloomberg, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the Prime Minister of Iceland, said: "Tourism has really grown exponentially in Iceland in the last decade and that obviously is not just creating effects on the climate.
"Most of our guests who are coming to us are visiting the unspoilt nature, and obviously it creates a pressure."
If implemented, the tax will be used to tackle the impact of tourism on the country's climate.
The scheme may look something like a city tax where overnight guests are charged for their stay - but details are yet to be announced.
