No visible volcanic activity can be seen on the Reykjanes peninsula right now. If you’re traveling to Iceland soon, it’s still safe to visit, as any eruptions in this region have only affected a small, contained area. Read on to find out more.
Page updated - 9 September 2024
Current volcanic activity in Reykjanes
There is no eruption taking place at the moment on the Reykjanes peninsula. The most recent one started on 22 August 2024, but it slowed down soon after, and there has been no visible activity since 9 September.
This latest eruption was the 6th of its kind in the area since December 2023. Lava flowed from a fissure in the ground at Sundhnúksgígar, which is close to the Blue Lagoon and northeast of Grindavík.
The volcanic events taking place in Reykjanes are not considered dangerous to travelers, provided they follow the safety advice of the Icelandic government to keep away from the eruption site.
As with the previous eruptions, this one was confined to the surrounding area. This means Reykjavík and the rest of Iceland are not impacted, and tours are running as usual. Flights to and from Iceland are operating on schedule, and the Ring Road is open.
If you have booked an upcoming trip to Iceland or are planning to visit, you can safely continue with your travel plans. And, with our flexible cancelation policy, you can rest assured that you can amend your tour dates should you need to.
Iceland is one of the most volcanically active regions in the world, so eruptions are not uncommon here. In the last 3 years, several volcanic eruptions have taken place on the Reykjanes peninsula. Icelandic authorities are highly prepared for these events.
We are carefully monitoring the situation and will keep you updated with any new information.
Frequently asked questions
1.Is there a volcanic eruption happening in Iceland?
No volcanic eruption is taking place right now in Iceland. The last one began on 22 August on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland, but there hasn't been visible activity there since 9 September.
This was a fissure eruption, which means that only the area around the immediate eruption site was affected by the lava flows. Because of this, the eruption wasn't considered a threat to travelers, provided they didn't go near the site. There was also no disruption to air travel.
2. Where was the eruption site?
The site of the latest eruption was at Sundhnúksgígar, northeast of the town of Grindavík in southwest Iceland. This was near the same area as the previous eruption.
3. Are these eruptions dangerous?
These volcanic events on the Reykjanes peninsula are not considered a threat to travelers, so long as they stay away from the eruption site and follow all safety advice.
The authorities safely evacuated everyone living in Grindavík before the eruptions began to ensure their safety.
The Icelandic authorities and scientists continue to closely monitor the situation. To stay up to date with the latest events, please visit the Icelandic Meteorological Office. If you’re in the country, we also recommend signing up for alerts and notifications from Safetravel.
If you’re visiting Iceland with us soon, our travel specialists will keep you updated as the situation evolves.
4. Is the Blue Lagoon open?
The Blue Lagoon is located near the eruption sites and has had to close if an eruption is taking place, as a precaution. This means that the lagoon might close temporarily at short notice.
Check this Blue Lagoon page for the latest opening info.
5. Are flights affected?
The international airport in Keflavík is open and flights are not affected.
The impact of the volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula is limited to specific, localized areas near the eruption site. It's good to know that previous eruptions in the area did not affect air travel to and from the country.
This is because these are fissure eruptions, which do not produce ash clouds, unlike the 2010 eruption at Eyjafjallajökull.
You can always reach out to your airline for further info about your flight.
6. Is it safe to visit Iceland?
Yes, it’s safe to visit Iceland. There’s no need to change your travel plans or cancel your trip.
- Take a look at these Iceland vacations to start planning your getaway.
We’re closely following the latest updates from authorities, and we’ll do our best to keep travelers informed of any changes that could affect their travel plans. When you're in Iceland, you should always follow the safety advice of the local authorities.
If you’re unsure about any part of your upcoming trip with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
7. What were the previous volcanic eruptions in Reykjanes like?
The first eruption of the past few years started in March 2021. This took place at Geldingadalur valley in fa*gradalsfjall, a volcanic system on the Reykjanes peninsula. This first eruption marked the beginning of strong volcanic activity in the region, which had been quiet for over 800 years.
Since then, eruptions started in the same part of the Reykjanes peninsula on these dates:
- 3 August 2022 (Meradalir valley)
- 10 July 2023 (Litli-Hrútur)
- 18 December 2023 (Sundnhúkagígar)
- 14 January 2024 (Sundnhúkagígar)
- 8 February 2024 (near Sýlingarfell)
- 16 March 2024 (near Mt. Hagafell)
- 29 May 2024 (near Sýlingarfell)
- 22 August 2024 (Sundhnúksgígar)
Each time, the lava flows were contained in a remote area. Once it was declared safe to do so, locals and visitors were allowed to go to the eruption sites and see this incredible spectacle of Mother Nature with their own eyes.
8. Can I visit the eruption site?
Please always follow the safety advice of local authorities. This means staying away from the eruption site when it is closed, and respecting any road closures.
You can find out the latest advice about visiting the site at Safetravel.
9. Where can I get more information about the volcano?
Here are a few useful websites to stay up to date with the latest information:
- Icelandic MET Office: Information on the seismic activity and development of events
- Icelandic Road Administration: Information on road conditions and closures in the Reykjanes region
- Safetravel: Updates on safety measures
- Icelandic National Broadcasting Service: News coverage
- Visit Reykjanes: More updates from the area
Let’s get you the assistance you need. Here we’ve gathered some useful info on the topics people ask about most.
