Around 6 to 7 million m3 (212 to 247 million ft3) of magma have accumulated beneath Svartsengi, Iceland since the eruption on July 16, 2025. At the current rate of accumulation, the estimated threshold of 12 million m3 (424 million ft3) could be reached in the latter half of September, increasing the likelihood of a new eruption.
Volcanic haze and elevated levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the Sundhnúk crater range eruption are affecting the western half of Iceland, especially the southwesternmost regions. The Icelandic Meteorological Office forecasts persistent volcanic haze in the south and west through Monday, due to slow and variable winds.
While the eruption at the Sundhnúksgígar crater row, southeast of Litla-Skógfell, Iceland continues on July 18, 2025, the eruptive activity has declined in the last 24 hours.
A fissure eruption began at the Sundhnúksgígar crater row, southeast of Litla-Skógfell, Iceland, around 03:54 UTC on July 16, 2025. The eruptive fissure is approximately 700–1 000 m (2 300–3 280 feet) long and appears to be propagating northward, with lava flowing southeast and no immediate threat to infrastructure.
A new volcanic eruption has just begun north of the dam near Grindavík, Iceland, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) reported at 09:45 UTC. A Coast Guard helicopter was sent to confirm the exact location and size of the eruption. This is the 11th eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021 and the 9th on the Sundhnúk crater series.
A civil defense project to further raise earthen dams around the Svartsengi Power Plant was initiated on December 9, 2024. The effort aims to safeguard the infrastructure against future lava flows.
The eruption that started on November 20, 2024, at the Sundhnúks crater row near Grindavik, Reykjanes Penisula, Iceland is now the second largest in the volume of the eruptions that have occurred in the Sundhnúks crater row since December 2023.
Authorities in Iceland have deployed at least 12 water cannons on the L3 defense wall to cool a 360 m (X feet) large section of lava and protect critical infrastructure, including the Svartsengi geothermal facility and the Njarðvíkuraeð hot water pipeline, which is important for the Suðurnesj region. Initial testing on one pump was successful, and the operation will begin with six eastern cannons, followed by the remaining units. The cooling process is expected to take several days.
A new volcanic fissure opened up between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell, near the town of Grindavík, Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, at 23:14 local time (LT) on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. This marked the year’s seventh eruption in this region.
The Svartsengi volcanic system in southwest Iceland is showing increased volcanic activity due to magma accumulation beneath the surface. Magma is moving into shallow chambers, causing ground uplift and seismic activity. In recent days, seismic activity has slightly increased, with around five minor daily earthquakes along the dike, the most prominent being M1.5, indicating growing pressure.
