Surprise Volcano Eruption after a series of Earthquakes

The eruption was discovered with a 200-meter fissure that had begun producing lava. Within hours, however, the fissure grew to about 500-700 meters. Small lava fountains were noted along the length of the fissure. IMO also noted that the lava seems to be flowing slowly to the southwest.

There have been no reports of ash fall as of the time of this writing. However, tephra and gas emissions are to be expected. Icelandโ€™s Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management advised residents to close their windows and stay indoors to avoid any direct contact with volcanic gases from the eruption. Reykjanesbraut, the main highway from the capital region to Reykanesbaer and Keflavik international airport, was also closed. This is to restrict access of civilians in the area, and for first responders to be able to drive freely to assess the situation. The aviation color warning over the Reykjanes Peninsula was elevated to red, signifying ongoing eruption in the area.


The fissure eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula is an effusive one, described by steady outflow of lava from the formed fissure on the ground.


The Krรฝsuvรญk-Trรถlladyngja volcanic system has been inactive for the past 9 centuries, while the area of Fagradalsfjall, considered either a volcanic system in its own or a western branch of the Krรฝsuvรญk-Trรถlladyngja system, has not had any historical activity.

The last eruption in the wider area dated back to the 14th century. The volcanic system has a tendency to exhibit phreatic eruptions. This occurs when magma interacts with water leading to a very violent explosion. Phreatic eruptions in the volcanic system may result during simultaneous rifting and eruption episodes as the Reykjanes Peninsula has a high ground water level.

Iceland eruption small so far, not expected to cause major problems

The new eruption is located near Geldingadalir, around the center of the recent dike intrusion of magma that has formed under the peninsula over the recent weeks. It started very quietly with almost no seismic activity when finally, a fissure opened, reaching around 500-700 m length.


The monitoring Icelandic Met Office (IMO) first became aware of the eruption from local reports of visible glow in the area about half an hour after the onset of activity.
In fact, its timing and location surprised scientists. They had expected the most likely place for magma to push up to the surface being close to the southern end of the dike, where most seismic activity had taken place recently.
Instead, it chose to break out right above the center of the recent intrusion, near Geldingadalir valley, east of Fagradalsfjall and close to Stรณri-hrรบtur.


So far, the eruption is small and does not cause any concern for potential damage. No significant amounts of ash have been released – this is mostly due to the fact that differently than the notorious 2010 Eyjafjallajรถkull eruption, there is no ice covering the vents.


The Keflavik airport is not affected by the eruption and the no-fly zone over the eruption area does not contain Keflavik. Unless the eruption dynamic changes significantly, something not expected for the immediate future, there should be no disruptions of air traffic.Concerning the lava flows, there are currently two narrow tongues flowing south-south-west and another to the west. The location of the eruption near Geldingadalir is in an area with very little infrastructure potentially at risk, something Icelandic authorities likely are happy about.


People in รžorlรกkshรถfn are being advised to remain indoors and keep windows closed, as a precaution against volcanic gases. รžorlรกkshรถfn is the closest community downwind this evening. Grindavรญk town is upwind.


According to RUV, glow of the lava from the fissure and the lava flows can be seen over a wide area including relatively far-away locations such as Hafnarfjรถrรฐur and รžorlรกkshรถfn.
The government urged people to stay away from the area, in particular in order to avoid exposure to volcanic gasses released by the eruption. In addition, the closest roads are closed and “there is little to see”, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV) writes.

The eruption came somewhat as a surprise at this stage of the ongoing seismic crisis, because the seismic and ground deformation activity had decreased during the past days compared to the preceding weeks. Some scientists had started to speculate that the process might rather be calming down instead of developing into an eruption.

The volcano-seismic unrest continues on the southern Reykjanes peninsula, centered around Fagradalsfjall mountain.

About the author

Avatar of Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen T Steinmetz

Juergen Thomas Steinmetz has continuously worked in the travel and tourism industry since he was a teenager in Germany (1977).
He founded eTurboNews in 1999 as the first online newsletter for the global travel tourism industry.

Share to...