The protective barrier by the Blue Lagoon

The Magma Beneath Svartsengi

The Icelandic Meteorological Office, which conducts research and disseminates information on natural hazards and risk assessments, including those related to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, has issued a warning that the magma accumulating beneath Svartsengi has surpassed the thresholds that have previously triggered magma movements and eruptions in the Sundhnúksgígaröd crater row near Grindavík and Svartsengi. Consequently, the likelihood of a magma movement or volcanic eruption occurring within the next few hours or days has significantly increased. The volume of magma beneath Svartsengi is currently exceeding 10 million cubic meters, when 8 million is required to initiate an eruption. Over the past days, around 140 earthquakes have been recorded in the area, most of them small.

Despite this, there was a significant number of tourists at the Blue Lagoon when Icelandic Times visited today. People basked in the sunshine and the spring-like atmosphere, despite the magma chamber beneath the geothermal power plant at Svartsengi and the Blue Lagoon steadily filling up. Despite these impending disasters and the Icelandic government purchasing all the properties in Grindavík, HD ehf and HS Orka, which operates the power plant, signed a framework agreement a few days ago for the expansion of the power plant in Svartsengi. This project is expected to be completed by the autumn of 2025.