Iceland’s Blue Lagoon tourist attraction is increasing its protection from volcanic activity with new updates to the infrastructure.
Following an earthquake in the region in November 2023, a series of volcanic eruptions from the Reykjanes volcano system threatened the safety of tourists visiting the lagoon. The lagoon has closed and the property has been evacuated three times this year due to ongoing surging volcanic activity.
The Blue Lagoon is now to receive a government-mandated protective wall that will surround and defend the site from lava flows. A ‘welcome house’ will be built halfway inside the lagoon’s new walls for guest check-in, along with retail areas.
These additions are supplementary to the lagoon’s existing safety measures, consisting of a network of gas meters that detect eruption-related air pollution and an evacuation plan that can get up to 1 000 people to safety in under an hour.
The Blue Lagoon will also add new upgrades and enhancements to the site, including a new main access road. The change-rooms will be upgraded, with the addition of new showers and lockers and the outdoor area will receive a new sauna, a steam cave, a cold plunge and two new massage waterfalls.
All the upgrades will be completed by the end of the year.