The levels of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are rising in the vicinity of Grindavik due to the ongoing volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland. The gas pollution has reached unhealthy levels, as reported by the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO).
With the end of October, uplift and magma accumulation continued steadily in Iceland’s Svartsengi volcanic region, increasing the likelihood of an intrusion or possible eruption toward late November. Seismic activity near the Sundhnúkar crater remains low, with only minor daily tremors recorded.
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.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions produced by the new eruption in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland have reached Europe. The forecast and measured SO2 concentrations are currently below the recommended exposure threshold with no major impact on air quality and health.
A new eruption began in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, following an intense series of small earthquakes in the Sundhnúkar Crater Row between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell at 20:48 UTC on August 22, 2024.
Rising seismic activity and land deformation patterns in Iceland’s Svartsengi area resemble those observed before the last eruption in the Sundhnúkur crater row, indicating a potential for a new volcanic eruption in the near-term.
The volcanic eruption that started in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland on March 16, 2024, continues at a fairly constant rate, marking the most substantial activity in the region with four registered eruptions since December 2023. This event has caught the attention of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) due to the large volumes of sulfur dioxide (SO2) released into the atmosphere.
A fissure eruption that started on Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland on March 16, 2024, continues at a fairly constant rate, with an average lava flow from the craters of about 14.5 m3 per second (512 feet3/s) from March 17 to 20. About 700 people at the Blue Lagoon spa and several in the town of Grindavík were evacuated within a 30-minute period after the start of the eruption.
After more than a month of magma buildup, a new eruption began in Reykjanes Peninsula, between Hagafell and Stóra-Skógfell, at 20:23 UTC on March 16, 2024.
Unfavorable weather conditions have disrupted the earthquake monitoring system on Reykjanes Peninsula by dampening small events, resulting in a lower number of detected earthquakes since Saturday, March 2, 2024. Nevertheless, the volume of magma beneath Svartsengi continues to increase, which could result in a new dike intrusion and possibly an eruption with very short notice.
