Icelandic Volcanic Eruption Forces Blue Lagoon Closure as Lava Engulfs Nearby Roads

The ongoing eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula has created a massive lava field, threatening infrastructure and prompting evacuations near the popular geothermal spa.

• A volcanic eruption that began on November 20, 2024, on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula has created a 9.1-square-kilometer lava field, the second-largest in the area since 2023.
• The lava flow has damaged a parking lot and a service building at the iconic Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, forcing its closure until at least December 4, 2024.
• Precautionary evacuations were carried out for 50 homes in the nearby town of Grindavík, though the town itself has not been directly impacted by the lava.
• This marks the tenth eruption in the region since 2021, as Iceland experiences an unusually active volcanic phase linked to tectonic plate divergence and a magma hotspot beneath the island.
• NASA satellite imagery captured the intensity of the eruption, with the lava's brightness surpassing that of Reykjavík, highlighting the geological and environmental challenges posed by the activity.

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