The Reykjavík Grapevine


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  • Man Dies In Blue Lagoon

    Man Dies In Blue Lagoon

    On October 28, a man was pronounced deceased at the Blue Lagoon after losing consciousness, Vísir reports.  Around midday, emergency services were called to the scene and attempted resuscitation. Approximately an hour later, he was pronounced dead. The man was in his…

  • A Tale Of Two Pools

    A Tale Of Two Pools

    The separate worlds of pools and lagoons As far as these things go, Iceland is a great country in which to immerse yourself in water. Across the island, there are 120 local municipal swimming pools. Then there is the smattering of the…

  • Now & Then: The Blue Lagoon

    Now & Then: The Blue Lagoon

    From power plant runoff to tourist hotspot With more than a million visitors a year, The Blue Lagoon remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Iceland, which might sound strange given that unlike all the other popular destinations…

  • Editorial: Þetta Reddast! 

    Editorial: Þetta Reddast! 

    On Wednesday, Iceland woke up to yet another volcanic eruption. It’s notable, sure, but it’s become something we’ve gotten used to. Thankfully, this eruption doesn’t look set to destroy any of our infrastructure, namely the Svartsengi power plant. It provides energy for…

  • Grindavík Residents Restrict Blue Lagoon Access

    Grindavík Residents Restrict Blue Lagoon Access

    On July 17, a group of Grindavík residents restricted entry on the road leading to the Blue Lagoon as an act of protest, Vísir reports. According to Vísir, the group is unhappy with the Lagoon being accessible while Grindavík is closed off…

  • Tourist Sexually Harassed In Blue Lagoon

    Tourist Sexually Harassed In Blue Lagoon

    An Icelandic bus driver claims a tourist he drove to the Blue Lagoon on Saturday, May 3, was sexually harassed at the location. According to the driver, the staff showed little response. A Blue Lagoon representative says they regret the incident, RÚV…

  • The Reykjavík Grapevine’s People Of The Year

    The Reykjavík Grapevine’s People Of The Year

    It has been a year of transformation in Iceland. The land on Reykjanes has continued to renew itself with an ongoing series of eruptions, while necessitating the evacuation of an entire town. Icelandic politicians took a turn to the nationalist, ramping up…

  • Eruption Officially Declared Over

    Eruption Officially Declared Over

    The volcanic eruption east of Stóra-Skógfell, which began on November 20, has officially ended, reports Vísir. A drone operated by Civil Protection revealed no signs of volcanic activity in the area. The eruption lasted for 18 days, making it one of the…

  • Sundhnúkur Eruption Ongoing

    Sundhnúkur Eruption Ongoing

    The eruption that began along the Sundhnúkur crater row on the evening of November 20 is still active. The majority of volcanic activity stems from three separate craters. As previously reported, the activity has damaged nearby infrastructure, including the Blue Lagoon parking…

  • A Man In His Eighties Died At The Blue Lagoon

    A Man In His Eighties Died At The Blue Lagoon

    A tourist died at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa on Wednesday, 23 October, Vísir reports. In a statement from the Blue Lagoon, it was reported that first responders were called to the Blue Lagoon at around 19:00 due to a foreign tourist…

  • Volcanic Eruption Has Begun On Reykjanes Peninsula

    Volcanic Eruption Has Begun On Reykjanes Peninsula

    A new eruption began along the Sundhnúksgígar crater row at 21:26 Thursday. The length of the fissure is currently unknown, but the Icelandic Meteorological Office reports that it is still extending to the north and south. Seismic activity is currently strongest toward…

  • Blue Lagoon 2: The Lost World™

    Blue Lagoon 2: The Lost World™

    The evolution of luxury tourism is just one eruption away The azure waters wash over you. The innate healing properties of ancient silica cleanse your body and soul. For a moment, it feels as though the ground around you is shaking as…

  • Blue Lagoon Closure Likely To Be Extended Amid Volcanic Gas Pollution

    Blue Lagoon Closure Likely To Be Extended Amid Volcanic Gas Pollution

    The Blue Lagoon is likely to remain closed due to the ongoing volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula. Helga Árnadóttir, general manager of the popular tourist attraction, told RÚV Tuesday that the site will remain closed until the safety of staff and…

  • Well, You Asked: A Bumpy Road Ahead

    Well, You Asked: A Bumpy Road Ahead

    The Grapevine’s finest answer your most pressing questions Why are speed bumps the most terrible thing in Iceland? They might drag the driver’s attention away from their phone screen for even a second when they realise, if ever so briefly, that they…

  • Blue Lagoon Reopens Amid Volcanic Uncertainty

    Blue Lagoon Reopens Amid Volcanic Uncertainty

    The Blue Lagoon will open for business again today. The decision was reportedly made in consultation with local authorities. The popular tourist site has been closed since February 8, when an eruption began between Sundhnúkagígar and Stóra Skógfell, just northeast of the…

  • UPDATED: New Eruption On The Reykjanes Peninsula

    UPDATED: New Eruption On The Reykjanes Peninsula

    A new eruption started on the Reykjanes peninsula around 6:00 on February 8. This eruption is the sixth volcanic eruption in three years on the peninsula and the third eruption since December. The fissure stretches from Sundhnúkur in the south to the…

  • Well, You Asked: We’re Not Very Picky Around Here

    Well, You Asked: We’re Not Very Picky Around Here

    The Grapevine’s finest answer your most pressing questions What is a food that even an Icelander won’t eat? Your Mo…nah. I can do better. So, Icelanders will put a lot in their mouths — perhaps some things they shouldn’t. A lot of…

  • So, What Happens Now? Perspectives On The Future Of The Reykjanes Peninsula

    So, What Happens Now? Perspectives On The Future Of The Reykjanes Peninsula

    The Earth rumbled again on the morning of January 3, strong enough to jostle my little home in 101 Reykjavík while I lazily poured water from my kettle over the coffee grounds in my French press. “Huh, another eruption?” I pondered aloud,…

  • Blue Lagoon Partially Reopens, Grindavík Could Follow

    Blue Lagoon Partially Reopens, Grindavík Could Follow

    Following its closure on November 9 due to increased seismic activity in the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon partially resumed operations on Sunday, December 17. The lagoon itself, including the spa facilities, the Blue Café and Lava Restaurant are now open. The…

  • People Of Grindavík Can Sleep Soundly As Backyard Eruption Looms

    People Of Grindavík Can Sleep Soundly As Backyard Eruption Looms

    Preparations are underway to build fortifications around critical infrastructure in the Svartsengi area on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The threat of a possible eruption has loomed ever since magma started collecting in the area. If an eruption were to happen, Grindavík, a town…

  • Blue Lagoon Closes Amid Earthquakes, Eruption Concerns

    Blue Lagoon Closes Amid Earthquakes, Eruption Concerns

    The Blue Lagoon announced Thursday morning it was closing for one week amid rising concerns over the seismic activity in the area and measured accumulation of magma underground in the region. The popular tourist destination will remain closed until Nov. 16. In…

  • Preparations Underway To Protect Hot Water Pipelines Amid Possible Eruption

    Preparations Underway To Protect Hot Water Pipelines Amid Possible Eruption

    Due to the possible eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula, authorities have started transporting building materials to defend hot water pipelines in the area. The pipelines originate from the Svartsengi Power Plant, moving hot water throughout the region. In the event of an…

  • Tour Operator Suspends Blue Lagoon Trips Amid Safety Concerns

    Tour Operator Suspends Blue Lagoon Trips Amid Safety Concerns

    Tour company Kynnisferðir — better known to visitors as operators of Reykjavík Excursions or the FlyBus — announced Monday it is suspending tours to the Blue Lagoon due to ongoing safety concerns on the Reykjanes peninsula. Tours were halted as of noon…