Unfortunately one of the worst case scenarios has happened in Grindavik when an eruption started this past Sunday early in the morning. Two fissures opened and one of them was right next to some houses.
Everyone in Iceland and in many parts of the world who have heard about this have heavy hearts because we have been seeing the destruction of people’s homes right before our eyes and can’t do anything about it. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes.
In this update, I will share what is known right now, how the current eruption is impacting the rest of Iceland, if flights to and from Iceland are impacted, what the government is saying/doing, what’s happening at the Blue Lagoon, and where you can keep up to date about the eruption if you want more frequent information.
The Start of the Latest Eruption:
As a reminder, the last eruption was on December 18th and it stopped after two days.
Early on Sunday morning, like about 3 AM, after hundreds of earthquakes, residents of Grindavik that had moved back to the town were evacuated. At around 8 in the morning, the eruption began. This is the fifth eruption in 4 years on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The first fissure caused concern, but the level of fear heightened to a new level when a second fissure opened up very close to the town.
It’s being estimated that this eruption is one quarter the size of the previous one. There were thoughts that it could last up to a week but recently it looks like it is fading out. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty about what will happen next.
Donate to help the Residents of Grindavik
You can donate to the efforts to help the residents of Grindavik here – https://www.raudikrossinn.is/english/donate/donate-now/
What the Icelandic Government is Saying
The Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrin Jakobsdottir, said today that,
"It is of course the case that the government has decided to protect the settlement in Grindavík with the fortifications that have started to be built and will continue to be built. They have already shown and proven their worth."
Is the Blue Lagoon or Svartstengi Power Station Impacted by the Eruption?
Due to the Blue Lagoon’s proximity to the eruption, it is currently closed. While the Svartstengi power station is still in tact, there is evidence of land rising in its area. We are waiting to see if that subsides or if another fissure opens up there too.
Are Flights to and From Iceland effected by the Volcanic Eruption?
Fortunately, there are not disturbances to flights arriving or departing from Iceland. The eruption is happening on the same peninsula where the airport is located BUT the airport is in a safe area away from the lava.
There is also no concerns about ash causing issues with flying because the eruption is not causing ash to form.
Can People Visit the Volcanic Eruption Site?
Due to the volatile nature of the eruption, the uncertainty of where a fissure can open up, and that authorities are working around the clock to finish building a wall to direct the lava in another direction, people are prohibited from visiting the eruption.
Please do not put your life at risk to see this eruption because it ultimately puts Search and Rescue team members lives at risk who will need to save you if you get into trouble.
Resources for More Frequent Updates About the Volcanic Eruption
- Check out safetravel.is, if you plan to travel around Iceland – https://www.ruv.is/english
- RUV English has a great timeline about what is going on and webcams
- Ragga at the Lava Show on Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@lavashowiceland) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lavashowiceland/?hl=en)
- Geology with Helga on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/geology_with_helga/
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