11/19/2023 | 7:00 PM

Seismic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula

Last updated: December 1, 2023

Iceland remains safe and welcoming to visitors!

Our flight schedule continues to operate as normal, and we’re ready to welcome you as always.

We want to assure you: Reykjavík and Iceland are safe to travel in.

Icelandic authorities are keeping a close eye on the situation in a localized area of the country, monitoring the seismic activity that has been significantly subsiding, and keeping everyone up-to-date.

Rest assured that we will do the same for you, by communicating any schedule changes via our normal channels: email, text message, in our mobile app, and in the travel alert section of our website.

Seismic activity making news

Eruptions and earthquakes in Iceland: Those are words you’ve likely encountered these past few weeks because of the increased seismic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula, in the southwest corner of Iceland.

The international media has reported on this activity with a slightly sensationalist tone. We’d like to give you a simple run-down of what’s been happening and why it shouldn’t impact your visit to Iceland.

Since late October, experts have been monitoring the seismic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula (roughly 50km/30 miles from Reykjavík, the capital city). The earthquake frequency in the area has decreased over the past days, but the local experts still believe an eruption is likely. Because of this, the small town of Grindavík has been evacuated, some of the roads on the peninsula are closed, and the Blue Lagoon is closed for the time being.

While the evacuations remain in place, the National Police Commissioner of Iceland has downgraded the Civil Protection Alert Phase from Emergency to Alert over seismic activity and residents of Grindavík are now allowed to access the town more freely. Some businesses in the town have already reopened their doors. For instance, the fish processing company Þorbjörn has resumed operations, and the local restaurant Sjómannastofan Vör is once again serving food to its guests.

The rest of the country is safe

This seismic event is localized around Grindavík, meaning that its impact does not affect the capital city or the areas further away. The road between Keflavík international airport and Reykjavík is open as normal.

The northern lights are still sparking, the ice caves still glistening. Everything that's great about winter travel in Iceland remains the same. The Blue Lagoon is closed for now, but there are a number of excellent alternatives for geothermal soaks and swims.

Our preparedness

Iceland is a volcanic island, with many active volcano systems. Eruptions and earthquakes are a part of our DNA, and we Icelanders are always well prepared for volcanic events. The country’s incredible nature has given us excellent training and expertise to deal with unique situations.

In fact, we’ve experienced three eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula over the last three years – so-called ‘tourist eruptions’ that thousands of locals and tourists have witnessed and enjoyed. None of the recent eruptions affected flight schedules. Fun fact, did you know that there are currently over 40 volcanoes erupting around the globe without significantly disrupting air traffic?

Your journey

But what does this mean for you and your journey? For starters, flights in and out of Iceland are operating normally and in the case of an eruption, they likely won’t be affected.

In the unlikely event that an eruption will affect our operations, we’re well prepared. Iceland is home to a number of airports. Our hub is at Keflavík, but regional airports are also capable of handling international flights if needed.

We're in close contact with the authorities and we have a plan for multiple scenarios. It’s just what we do.

For more information on the situation, we recommend the following sites:

Safetravel - general information on safety in the area

Icelandic Road Authority - road closures in the Southwest

Icelandic Meteorological Office - detailed updates from experts

Visit Reykjanes - news for the region

RÚV - live blog in English from the national broadcaster, with links to livestreams from the Grindavík area

Government of Iceland - official information from the Icelandic government

Photo: Aerial view over the town of Grindavík.

The volcanic reawakening of the Reykjanes peninsula

A new era of volcanic activity: The 2021 eruption was the first volcanic eruption in Iceland in 6 years and the first one in the Reykjanes peninsula in 800 years.
The 2021 eruption: The eruption was situated in the Geldingadalir valley next to the mountain named Fagradalsfjall. The location was compared to a massive bathtub that lava can slowly pour into. The eruption lasted for 6 months before ceasing in September 2021.
The 2022 eruption: On August 3, 2022, the volcano restarted, erupting from a fissure in the Meradalir valley, not far from the crater that erupted for the longest period during the 2021 eruption. It ended on August 21, 2022.
The July 2023 eruption: On July 4, 2023, significant seismic activity resumed on Reykjanes, indicating that a new eruption might start in the area between the mountains Keilir and Fagradalsfjall. On July 10, a small eruption started at Litli Hrútur, close to Fagradalsfjall. It ended on August 6, 2023.

Photo: Aerial view of the lava fields from the Fagradalsfjall volcano.

Previous eruptions

We've kept a close eye on the Fagradalsfjall volcano eruptions over the past three summers (2021 to 2023). These eruptions had no impact on flight operations, and they occurred a relative distance from infrastructure and towns.

We invite you to read more about their magnetic appeal.

After a week of heavy earthquake activity concentrated around the site of the 2021 and 2022 volcanic eruptions, a new eruption started on the Reykjanes peninsula on July 10.

The location was close to Litli Hrútur peak, situated between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir mountains.

Prior to the November seismic unrest, the Fagradalsfjall eruption area was open to hikers. However, on November 12, a number of roads were closed on the Reykjanes peninsula, and access to the Fagradalsfjall site was restricted. Please respect these closures.

People and search-and-rescue volunteers walking to the volcanic eruption in 2022 Eruption site, 2022 volcano. Photo by Chris Burkard.

Please note that the following interview is from 2022 and only reflects the conditions at the eruption site last summer. We advise passengers to follow the latest updates from the site and plan their travels accordingly.

Interview with Chris Burkard

Photographer and adventurer Chris Burkard has been busy visiting the eruption site in 2022 and photographing it. Check out his images and reporting on Icelandair's Instagram account. He answered some of our questions to gear you up for a volcano visit.

How does this year’s eruption compare with last year’s?

Chris: This year's eruption is actually 5 to 10 times larger than last year's! It has more magma flow due to the size of the fissure being larger, which is awesome. Both eruptions have been absolutely beautiful and spectacular in their own ways. One big difference is the time of year in which they erupted. With this year's occurring in peak summer, the days are long and the weather is a lot more mild. Last year the days were short and the landscape was covered in snow which makes this year's a lot more enjoyable to spectate.

Is it safe to visit?

Chris: Yes, the volcano is safe to visit and I couldn’t recommend it more! That said, you need to be cautious and up-to-date on the latest conditions and safety precautions. The Icelandic Search and Rescue team (ICE-SAR) is absolutely amazing and works 24/7 to keep people safe. They monitor the conditions of the weather, the volcano, and the air to make sure everyone is safe. It’s important to listen to what they say and respect their decisions, and if you do this it is certainly safe to visit and enjoy.

Lava from the 2022 volcano eruption. Eruption site, 2022 volcano. Photo by Chris Burkard.

How is the hike there? Is helicopter a good option too?

Chris: The hike there is not too bad. I think it’s really cool anyone who wants to see this amazing phenomenon needs to put in a little work to see it – it makes the reward that much better. It's about 5km to 7km (3-4.5 miles) to get there depending on which trail you take and how the magma has moved. It’s a mild hike but Icelandic weather is quite unpredictable so it is key to bring wind and rain layers as well as some water and snacks. Viewing it from the sky is amazing as well – either from a helicopter or small plane. It’s quite incredible to see the volcano from above and to see it within the larger landscape.

What’s been the reaction to your reporting from the volcano?

Chris: My reporting on the volcano has created more buzz than almost anything I’ve ever shot or posted on social media. People just cannot believe it, it seems so otherworldly and so rare. For people to see real lava and the changing of a landscape right in front of our eyes is crazy. The amount of people that have messaged me and told me that they booked last-minute flights to Iceland to see the volcano is absolutely insane and I love that people are so amped! It’s pretty amazing you can fly into a major airport right next to this volcano and that flights haven’t been affected due to smoke or ash. It really does feel once-in-a-lifetime and I would encourage everyone to try to see it.

Is it worth a special visit to see?

Chris: Is this even a question?! It is so so worth it, I cannot say it enough. I am lucky to have traveled the world and documented a lot of amazing things but few things compare to this. Seeing something so rare and finite while also being so large and powerful is amazing. It has honestly changed my perspective of our planet and the landscapes I spend time in. I can’t recommend seeing it enough.

On a practical note: what should people bring on a volcano trip?

Chris: People should definitely bring good layers! Some warm layers (down jacket) and rain layers. Icelandic weather is really unpredictable and being prepared for any sort of weather is key. Good footwear is great for the rocky hike and so are poles if you want them. I’d recommend bringing some water and snacks as well, there are no stores or anything like that out there. Headlamps are great in case you stay late and it gets dark. Definitely bring your camera and drone if you have them! Right now you do not need a gas mask but it’s good to check in with ICE-SAR to see the latest conditions before going.

Any photo tips from you specific to the volcano?

Chris: The volcano makes it easy to take good photos! My biggest recommendation is to just get out there and shoot. Per usual the best light and time to shoot is morning and evening, it’s nice when it’s a little bit darker as the lava sticks out more. Having a drone is pretty amazing as it gives a really cool perspective of the volcano and the landscape. Again, just go out there and shoot!

done image of new lava field from 2022 volcanic eruption with hills in background Eruption site, 2022 volcano. Photo by Chris Burkard.

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A geologist's paradise, a photographer's dreamland, an oasis for an avid adventurer...or simply "the land of fire and ice"? This time it's fire for sure! With the latest volcanic eruption (following on from last year's spectacle), Iceland once again reminds us of its mighty nature powers and puts a steaming hot spot on the world map.

March 19, 2021, was seemingly an ordinary Friday before the news started spreading late in the evening that an eruption was starting on the Reykjanes peninsula. The fact was confirmed very soon by the local authorities as many locals rushed in their cars to gaze at the red glowing night sky.

Soon after it started, the eruption was categorized as small and not posing any immediate threat. The local geophysicists say that the eruption is in the best possible location – isolated in a distant valley surrounded by the mountainous Icelandic terrain.

Active volcano eruption in Iceland Eruption site of the first volcano on March 20, 2021, the day after the eruption began. Photo by Vilhelm Gunnarsson.

In a way, this eruption put many locals' minds at ease. Southwest Iceland had been experiencing many earthquakes in the preceding weeks, but the seismic activity steadily decreased after the eruption.