07/10/2023 | 7:00 AM

Iceland's hottest natural wonder

Last updated: August 8, 2023

Note that after a few weeks of activity, the latest volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula has paused.

According to authorities, despite the decrease in activity it is too soon to say that the eruption is over. Stay tuned for any new developments!

The 2023 eruption

After a week of heavy earthquake activity concentrated around the site of last year's volcanic eruption, a new eruption started on the Reykjanes peninsula on July 10.

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

The Icelandic Meteorological Office and a group of geology experts continue to monitor the seismic activity and gas pollution, and members of ICE-SAR (the Icelandic search and rescue organization), rangers, and the police are on site.

Visiting the eruption site

The eruption area is open to hikers. However, the authorities may restrict access at any time for safety reasons (such as gas pollution, poor weather, or the risk of new fissures or craters opening up).

We strongly recommend you consult the Safetravel website before you set out, to check if the eruption is active, and if the site is open. It's important to read the recommendations for visiting the area.

When the area is open, Safetravel highlights the need to be cautious, and to only visit if you are well prepared and fit enough to undertake the hike.

Read more about the recommended preparation for the hike on the Safetravel site.

The recommended hiking route to view the 2023 eruption site is a 18km (11-mile) return trip, parking at the trail head on P2, on road 427 east of Grindavík. The hike takes 6 to 8 hours in total plus the time you spend at the site, so be sure that you’re fit for it before you head off.

Banner photo by Arni Sæberg from the 2023 eruption.

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

Some recent volcano facts

The 2021 eruption was the first volcanic eruption in Iceland in 6 years and the first one in the Reykjanes peninsula in the last 800 years.
The 2021 eruption was situated in the Geldingadalir valley next to the mountain named Fagradalsfjall. The location has been compared to a massive bathtub that lava can slowly pour into. The eruption lasted for 6 months before ceasing in September 2021.
On August 3, 2022, the volcano restarted, erupting from a fissure in the Meradalir valley, not far from the crater that erupted the longest during the 2021 eruption. It ended on August 21, 2022.
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.

Glowing lava and eruption from 2022 volcano Eruption site, 2022 volcano. Photo by Chris Burkard.

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Previous eruptions

We've kept a close eye on the 2021 and 2022 volcano eruptions and invite you to read about their magnetic appeal.

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.