GRINDAVIK, Iceland – A volcano located in southwestern Iceland near the evacuated seaside town of Grindavík began erupting for the third time since December early Thursday morning, forcing the closure and evacuation of the popular tourist destination Blue Lagoon and prompting officials to declare a state of emergency.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), intense seismic activity began to shake the region around Mount Sylingarfell around 5:30 a.m., and the eruption began about 30 minutes later.
A large fissure about 2 miles long opened up and stretched from Mount Sylingarfell to the eastern areas of Mount Stora-Skogfell, with lava shooting about 260 feet into the air, according to the IMO.
Activity, though, has started to decrease, and the IMO said the probability of new fissures opening up has also decreased.
The eruption was located to the northeast of Grindavík, which remained a ghost town after residents were told to flee their homes late last year when earthquake activity began to dramatically increase and large cracks began to open up across roads in the region.
The first eruption occurred on Dec. 18, and the second eruption occurred a month later in January. During the second eruption, lava made its way into Grindavik and destroyed several homes and structures.
Iceland’s Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management said a state of emergency was declared Thursday after consulting with emergency officials in the area.
Officials said that the main pipeline that delivers hot water to the region was destroyed after lava flowed over it, causing a lack of hot water.
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Residents have been urged to conserve as much water and electricity as possible.
Electric ovens can be used to provide heat, but officials said each home can only use one because the area’s electrical grid won’t withstand more use.
“If everyone starts the ovens at the same time, the system can fail,” officials said in a news release. “It is therefore important that residents follow instructions and only use one electrical stove for heating.”
According to national public broadcaster RÚV, Keflavik International Airport, the country’s main international airport, is also now without hot water.
RÚV said the lack of hot water has had a “limited effect on the airport’s operations, but developments are closely monitored.”
Airport officials said the eruption itself has so far not impacted any arriving or departing flights, but passengers scheduled to travel into or out of the airport should monitor their airlines in the event they decide to delay or cancel flights.
The popular tourist destination Blue Lagoon announced that it had evacuated and shut down operations because of the eruption as a precautionary measure.
In a statement posted to its website, Blue Lagoon said all guests with bookings during the closure would be contacted, and the resort would continue to monitor guidelines and recommendations from emergency officials.
“This commitment aligns with our unwavering dedication to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our valued guests and staff,” the Blue Lagoon said.