A new year is soon upon us, and it is customary to reflect on the past, its challenges, and victories, and set goals for the coming year.
It is safe to say that challenges have been diverse lately, whether we look at society, nature, or the world at large. It has therefore been invaluable to offer our guests an escape from daily routines with an experience like no other.
Outwardly, the year at the Blue Lagoon has been marked by geological unrest and its consequences. The earth awakened with the Sundhnukur Crater Row in November 2023, setting off a series of events that profoundly affected the environment, people, and businesses.
The Sundhnukur Crater Row has erupted seven times since the activity began. Alongside these eruptions, thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in and around Svartsengi, some so powerful they were felt across the country.
We have supported staff in finding new homes, arranged accommodations for international hotel guests, transported visitors and staff between locations, organized utility markets, held communal gatherings, provided education on geological activity, conducted weekly information meetings, and shared expertise across the company.
Among the responses: 4 new roads over lava fields (10 kilometers total), about 200 updates to our seismic activity information page, 30 revisions to evacuation plans, 40 evacuation representatives trained, 7 evacuations, 90 gas detectors installed, and 1.5 million cubic meters of construction material transported to build 8-15 meter-high protective walls.
This has been an enormous undertaking. But the teamwork and solidarity of all our staff shine brightest this year. We are undoubtedly shaped by nature, but we learn from it, adapt, and continue onward.
We look forward to welcoming you all and to creating memories with you in the new year.