Volcanic Eruption Forces Evacuation in Iceland

A volcano in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula erupted on August 22, spewing lava and forcing the evacuation of the nearby luxury spa, the Blue Lagoon. This eruption marks the sixth in the region since December, with the fissure expanding to approximately 4 kilometers. Although lava initially flowed rapidly, officials reported a slowdown and noted that the nearby town of Grindavik was not in immediate danger. The Blue Lagoon, which had around 1,300 guests at the time, was temporarily closed as a precaution. Despite the volcanic activity, Keflavik International Airport remained operational, and air traffic was not affected. Authorities declared a state of emergency due to the eruption and warned of potential gas pollution impacting surrounding areas.