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Currently, there is no ongoing volcanic activity in Iceland. The latest eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which started on November 20, 2024, lasted 18 days and ended on December 8. There was no risk to key areas like the airport, Ring Road, or Reykjavik, and lava was contained in an isolated area, leaving the rest of Iceland safe and open for travelers. This was the 7th eruption this year in the Sundhnúkur crater row and the 10th on the peninsula since 2021.
Scene from the eruption in southwest Iceland, November 2024. Source: Arctic Adventures.
Here's what you need to know about Iceland's volcano activity in the past years.
The recent volcanic eruptions were occurring on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, specifically in the Sundhnúkur craters. This active area is in the southwest region, north of Grindavík, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the Blue Lagoon, 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Keflavík Airport, and approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital.
Location of the recent volcano eruptions in Iceland. Source: Arctic Adventures
Yes, visiting Iceland is completely safe. Flights and all tours, except those involving the Blue Lagoon, are running as usual. Although some roads near the eruption site may be closed, daily life and travel across the rest of the country remain unaffected.
Keflavík Airport is operating as usual, and flights are not affected by the recent volcanic activity. Since 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula has had several fissure eruptions, which are smaller and don’t produce ash, so they haven’t disrupted flights or tours. This is very different from the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, which caused major flight delays due to ash clouds.
The eruption is not considered dangerous to the public or flights. A fissure eruption only affects the area directly surrounding the eruption site with lava flows. If authorities allow it, people can approach the site, but until then, they should stay away from it to avoid any danger.
Learn more in this short video with Dr. Matthew Roberts, Managing Director at the Icelandic Met Office.
It's best to visit the volcanic areas with expertly guided volcano tours for safety and an informative experience. Usually, when the eruption is active, you might not be able to visit the area on foot as it can be closed for safety reasons. However, you can still get the best view of the ongoing volcanic activity from above with a volcano helicopter tour, which provides a unique and thrilling perspective. Stay updated for new opportunities to explore the newly formed land!
Blue Lagoon's opening times may be affected by recent seismic activity in the area. An eruption at Sundhnúkagígar is at a safe distance from the lagoon; however, operational hours may be influenced by air quality forecasts. You can check directly with the spa or if you have a booking with us, we will keep you updated on any changes to your trip.
Yes, Icelandic authorities are well-prepared for such events. The country experiences frequent volcanic activity, particularly in the Reykjanes peninsula, where several eruptions have occurred in recent years.
For more information, follow the updates at the Icelandic Meteorological Office or Safe Travel Iceland.
Yes, our tours are proceeding as scheduled, so there's no need to change your plans. However, if you have any questions about your itinerary, feel free to contact our team for assistance. Since nature can be unpredictable and circumstances may change, we're closely monitoring updates from the authorities. We'll inform you of any developments affecting your travel plans with us.
It’s difficult to predict the exact duration of Icelandic volcanic eruptions, as they can vary significantly. Some can last only a day, like the third Sundhnúkur eruption on February 8, while others, such as the fourth one, lasted 54 days—the longest in this series. The 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption was even longer, continuing for six months. Each event depends on the specific conditions of the volcanic system at the time.
In Iceland, living with earthquakes and volcanoes is part of everyday life. This is because Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Here, the Eurasian and North American plates move apart, creating rift zones where the Earth's crust breaks apart. Magma, or molten rock, rises up through these fractures and sometimes erupts as lava or ash.
Iceland has some of the most advanced earthquake monitoring and volcanic eruption prediction systems in the world. This guarantees the safety of both residents and tourists, allowing them to continue with their daily routines even during times of heightened seismic activity.
March 2024 Volcano Eruption in Iceland - Photo by Julius Matikas
The series of 2023–2024 Sundhnúkur eruptions started on December 18, 2023, at the Sundhnúkur crater chain in the Reykjanes volcanic zone, north of Grindavík on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula. As of November 20, 2024, seven eruptions had occurred following a period of intense earthquakes.
December 18-21, 2023: The first eruption lasted 3 days.
January 14-16, 2024: The second eruption lasted 2 days, causing some property damage and evacuation from the nearby town.
February 8, 2024: The third eruption was brief, ending on the same day, and featured dramatic lava fountains.
March 16 - May 8, 2024: The fourth eruption lasted 54 days, becoming the longest in the series.
May 29 - June 22, 2024: The fifth eruption lasted 24 days and produced the largest lava field.
August 22 - September 5, 2024: The sixth eruption in the Sundhnúkur series, which lasted 14 days, in a very similar location as the previous one. Its fissure was approximately 2.42 miles (3.9 km) long. The eruption was localized and has not impacted other areas of Iceland.
November 20 - December 8, 2024: The seventh eruption in the same fissure zone and the tenth in the past three years began around midnight on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Lasting 18 days, it ended on December 8 and was the second-largest by produced lava flow. Despite its size, it did not affect daily life or flights.
In July 2023, an eruption occurred at Litli-Hrútur in Iceland, unique and larger than the previous events in the same area. Although it did not pose any immediate danger to communities or flights, it did present some challenges, such as gas pollution and intense seismic activity.
Public access to the eruption site was permitted, but hiking to the volcano was advised against due to high levels of volcanic gasses. The eruption occurred in an uninhabited area, posing no immediate risk to communities or infrastructure, and Keflavik Airport operated normally without any flight disruptions.
Fagradalsfjall volcano, this time in the Meradalir Valley, erupted again on August 3rd, 2022, almost a year after its last eruption. This time, the eruption was characterized by lava flowing from a fissure vent without any explosive activity. The eruption officially concluded after 18 days on August 21, 2022.
Fortunately, the eruption did not pose an immediate threat to the surrounding infrastructure, lives, or air traffic. Keflavik International Airport flights were not disrupted. The Meradalir Valley could be accessed via a rather challenging 17 km hike.
Although no visible activity has been observed since August 21st, 2022, the hiking path remained open for exploration.
After over 6,000 years of dormancy, the Geldingadalur valley’s Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted on March 19, 2021, marking the first eruption in the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark in 800 years. Uniquely, this eruption was dubbed a "tourist eruption" due to its accessibility and relatively low risk. It officially ended on September 18, 2021.
The eruption didn't immediately pose a threat to nearby towns. However, before the eruption, over 40,000 earthquakes occurred, evacuating 400-500 people from the area. On April 6, two new eruption fissures emerged, followed by another fissure on April 7, northeast of the original site.
The flowing lava traveled into Meradalir Valley, creating a new lava field. Later, a hiking trail was created for safer access to the eruption site.
