The eruption that began in Reykjanes Peninsula on March 16, 2024, continues at stable levels. However, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) has been detecting very unhealthy levels of sulfur dioxide pollution over the past couple of days. Residents are urged to follow instructions provided by the Environment Agency of Iceland and the Office of the National Medical Examiner.
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.
Magma volume beneath Svartsengi, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland continues to increase, which could result in a new dike propagation and/or volcanic eruption in the coming days, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) reported at 14:00 UTC on March 5, 2024. Weather conditions over the next few days could affect IMO’s monitoring system.
Iceland evacuated its world-famous Blue Lagoon and the nearby town of Grindavík in Reykjanes Peninsula on Saturday, March 2, 2024, due to an intense seismic swarm indicating a new fissure eruption could start any moment.
Volcanic eruption near Grindavik, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland resumed early Thursday, February 8, 2024.
In recent days, Svartsengi, Iceland, has experienced accelerated land rise, reaching up to 8 mm (0.3 inches) daily, attributed to magma accumulation under the area. While seismic activity remains mild, the risk assessment for Grindavík has been downgraded to orange, with a continued high risk for crack collapse.
Recent volcanic activity in the Svartsengi area has led to continuous land uplift, although the exact rate is still being determined through GNSS measurements. Around 200 earthquakes, the largest measuring M1.4, have been recorded near the magma conduit since yesterday. Despite a reduction in earthquake frequency, significant risks, including ground collapse, remain for the nearby Grindavík area.
A day after a new volcanic eruption started near the evacuated city of Grindavik, Iceland, authorities are reporting a reduced flow of lava. While it’s unclear how long the eruption will last, they warn new cracks may be appearing on the surface within the city in the next few days.
