Iceland volcano – live: Eruption could obliterate town after thousands of earthquakes

A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned.

The country has been shaken by more than 800 small earthquakes today alone, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.

Almost 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik over the weekend as authorities feared that molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth and potentially hit the coastal town and a geothermal power station.

Select residents of the town have been allowed to return briefly this week to save valuables and care for animals and pets.

Ragga Agustsdottir, who lives close to Grindavik, said residents were fearful of what could happen if an eruption struck. “The scenario on the table now is that it will happen in or just north of the town of Grindavik. There’s no good option here,” she told The Independent.

On Tuesday authorities scrambled to build a defence wall around the Svartsengi power plant, located just over six kilometers from Grindavik, to protect it from lava flows amid fears of an eruption.

Key Points

• Defence walls built around power plant

• Fears over flights in and out of Iceland

• Eruption fears as magma spreads underground and cracks appear in roads

• Where is Grindavik?

Massive cracks appear on roads in Grindavik ahead of volcano eruption

04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Some Grindavik residents briefly allowed to enter town

04:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A small number of residents of Grindavik, the town evacuated due to fears of a volcanic eruption, will be allowed to go into the “red zone” to collect their belongings.

Officials will accompany each person, according to state broadcaster RUV.

Only one person from each family has been allotted a few minutes “to collect basic necessities”.

Iceland earthquakes: Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town

04:00 , Tom Watling

Roads have begun to crack and buildings buckle under the pressure of underground magma as Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption.

Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks.

“All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden,” the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.

Huge cracks appear on roads in Iceland’s volcano-threatened town

Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon to remain shut till 30 November

03:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon spa will remain shut till 30 November amid fears of an imminent volcanic eruption.

The geothermal spa southwest of Reykjavik, which is one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations, was closed on 9 November following a series of earthquakes that hit the region.

“Considering disruptions to our guests’ experience and the sustained pressure on our employees, these precautionary measures were taken to ensure safety and wellbeing for all,” it said in a statement.

“The closure will remain in effect until 7am on November 30, at which point the situation will be reassessed,” it added.

Grindavik couple fear losing their home after evacuating: ‘It’s a pretty grim situation’

03:00 , Tom Watling

A man who evacuated from a town in Iceland after earthquakes put the region on alert for a volcanic eruption said he fears he might never see his home again.

Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday, packing only a few essential items, to stay with Mr Gunnarsson’s mother in Reykjavik.

Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.

Grindavik couple fear losing home after evacuating: ‘It’s a pretty grim situation’

Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake

02:00 , Tom Watling

A couple cling to one another as their house shakes violently in an earthquake during a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, 29, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday (10 November) as his house shook and locals frantically evacuated the area.

Ms McLean, 34, captured the moment the furniture and light fixtures shook violently in Mr Gunnarsson’s home when the volcano erupted.

Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Iceland’s Meteorological Office said.

Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

01:00 , Tom Watling

Simon Calder answers your questions on aviation, the land of ice and fire, and birthday in Albania.

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked

00:00 , Tom Watling

The earth is at its most restless in Iceland right now. The Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik, is seething with seismic activity sparking hundreds of small earthquakes.

The town of Grindavík, just 10 miles south of Keflavik International Airport, has been evacuated as a precaution.

Yet flights are continuing to arrive and depart as normal. These are the key questions and answers on consumer rights.

Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption?

23:00 , Tom Watling

Iceland has declared a state of emergency after hundreds of earthquakes struck the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula in the past 48 hours.

Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.

On Sunday 12 November, all scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester landed without incident.

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears over volcano eruption?

Iceland earthquakes: Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town

22:00 , Tom Watling

Roads have begun to crack and buildings buckle under the pressure of underground magma as Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption.

Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks.

“All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden,” the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.

Huge cracks appear on roads in Iceland’s volcano-threatened town

Power outage reported in Grindavik

21:00 , Tom Watling

A power outage has hit eastern parts of Grindavik, the area closest to the volatile volcano.

Tweet shows pets being saved from Grindavik

20:00 , Lydia Patrick

ICYMI - Town of Grindavik could be obliterated if volcanic eruption strikes

19:00 , Lydia Patrick

A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned.

The country has been shaken by more than 2,000 small earthquakes in the past few days, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.

Thousands have been told to evacuate Grindavik as a precautionary measure, while a magma tunnel stretches below the surface. If an eruption occurs in or close to the town, the consequences will be devastating, volcanologist Armann Hoskuldsson warned.

He told state broadcaster RUV: “This is very bad news. One of the most serious scenarios is an eruption in the town itself, similar to that in Vestmannaeyjar 50 years ago. This would be much worse.”

Iceland earthquake: Town could be obliterated if volcanic eruption strikes

Iceland volcano map - where is Grindavik?

18:00 , Athena Stavrou

Grindavik is a small fishing town of about 3,500 people in Iceland’s southwest Reykjanes peninsula.

The town, about 5 miles south of the Blue Lagoon, a geothermic bathing spa popular with locals and tourists, was evacuated over the weekend after large cracks began to appear in roads following thousands of earthquakes across the peninsula.

The tremors have sparked fears that the Gradalsfjal volcano - about 12 miles to the north of Grindavik - could erupt after researchers discovered a 9-mile long river of magma running through the peninsula.

Inhabitants of Grindavik describe being whisked from homes

17:30 , Athena Stavrou

Inhabitants of Grindavik described being whisked from their homes in the early hours of Saturday as the ground shook, roads cracked and buildings suffered structural damage.

Hans Vera, a Belgian-born 56-year-old who has lived in Iceland since 1999, said there had been a constant shaking of his family’s house.

“You would never be steady, it was always shaking, so there was no way to get sleep,” said Vera, who is now staying at his sister-in-law’s home in a Reykjavik suburb.

“It’s not only the people in Grindavik who are shocked about this situation it’s the whole of Iceland.”

Almost all of the town’s 3,800 inhabitants had been able to find accommodation with family members or friends, and only between 50 and 70 people were staying at evacuation centres, a rescue official said.

Some evacuees have briefly been allowed back into the town this week to collect belongings such as documents, medicines or pets, but were not allowed to drive themselves.

Pictures: Earthquakes in Iceland

16:45 , Athena Stavrou

Center opened for those affected by earthquakes

15:00 , Athena Stavrou

A service center has opened in Tollhúsin, Iceland, today to support the evacuated residents of Grindavik.

Locals will be able to have a coffee and use a play area at the center, which has been opened by the National Police Commissioner in collaboration with the Red Cross and Grindavíkurbær.

The Red Cross will also offer psychosocial support and social counseling will be offered by Grindavíkur town staff.

Town of Grindavik could be obliterated if volcanic eruption strikes

14:30 , Athena Stavrou

A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned.

The country has been shaken by more than 2,000 small earthquakes in the past few days, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.

Lydia Patrick reports:

Iceland earthquake: Town could be obliterated if volcanic eruption strikes

Eruptions are tourism opportunities, says Iceland travel expert

13:55 , Simon Calder

Volcanic eruptions in Iceland are generally regarded as harmless – and interesting, if temporary, tourist attractions.

Clive Stacey, founder of specialist operator Discover the World, has been sending British tourists to Iceland for decades.

His company operates a “volcano hotline”. He told The Independent: “If there are eruptions in Iceland, and they’re safe, and worth going to see, then we organise special trips. Often they only last for a very short time, so we take people over as soon as the eruption happens.

“It really isn’t dangerous. They take all the correct precautions. They look after tourists very, very well.”

Authorities update Grindavík operation

13:30 , Athena Stavrou

Iceland’s Civil Defence said the process of allowing residents to return briefly to the evacuated town of Grindavík is “big and complicated”.

Hjördís Guðmundsdóttir, communications director of Civil Defence, told local media that locals are only allowed in with emergency personnel.

“I think an operation like this is always big, and complicated,” he said.

“Those sitting in line [having to wait] probably don’t think it’s going well. But the danger is there, let us never forget that. That’s why it’s goes slowly. Those who are allowed to go in, will go in with emergency personnel.”

How many volcanoes are there in Iceland?

12:46 , Athena Stavrou

Iceland has 130 volcanoes - most of which are active.

The only dormant sites are found in the oldest part of Iceland’s landmass, the Westfjords, which was formed around 16 million years ago.

About 32 active volcanic systems can be found under the island. The main reason Iceland is so volcanic is because of its positioning across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

This ridge separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, which can move together to form mountains or apart to form oceanic crust.

Blue Lagoon closure extended

12:00 , Athena Stavrou

Iceland’s iconic Blue Lagoon spa has extended its closure until November 30.

The geothermal spa southwest of Reykjavík, previously announced it would be shut until at least November 16 (Thursday), but announced last night that the closure will remain in effect for a further two weeks.

They added that the situation will be reassessed then.

A statement on their website reads: “Considering disruptions to our guests’ experience and the sustained pressure on our employees, these precautionary measures were taken to ensure safety and wellbeing for all.”

Mapped: Iceland’s earthquakes

11:44 , Athena Stavrou

There have been 800 earthquakes in Iceland since midnight alone.

Most of the seismic activity has occurred in the southwest of the nordic nation - around the Reykjanes ridge and peninsular.

The map shows all earthquake activity detected by the Icelandic Met Office in the past 48 hours.

800 earthquakes recorded since midnight

11:25 , Athena Stavrou

About 800 earthquakes have been recorded in Iceland since midnight - most of them in the middle of the magma tunnel.

Iceland’s Met Office said seismic activity has remained constant since Saturday with the main focus of the activity being around the evacuated town of Grindavik,

They added that part of the magma passage seems to be solidifying, especially at the edges but not at the upwelling area of ​​magma that is believed to be at Sundhnúk.

The probability of an eruption is still considered high. In the event of an eruption, most likely location is at the magma tunnel according to the Met Office.

Evacuated residents to return again

11:00 , Athena Stavrou

Some select Grindavík residents are to be allowed back into the area today once again to retrieve valuables and animals.

The town was initially evacuated on Saturday after strong earthquakes occurred in the area - which is near a volcano currently at risk of eruption.

The Police Commissioner in Suðurnes said access today is to be granted exclusively to residents who have not yet entered the area and who have been contacted.

They noted that only one person per household will be allowed to enter the area and urged people to make a list of items prior to their visit.

Geophysicist urges authorities to build defences

10:20 , Athena Stavrou

A geophysicist said construction of defences should still be built despite uncertainty on when and where an eruption may occur.

Freysteinn Sigmundsson spoke to local media this morning about the building of defences currently happening in Reykjanes.

He said that so far, the natural disaster is the biggest since the eruption in the Westman Islands 50 years ago - which erupted for six months and destroyed several hundred homes.

Currently, defences are being built around the Svartsengi power station near the evacuated town of Grindavík.

Could an eruption ground flights?

09:27 , Athena Stavrou

In 2010, a series of volcanic events at Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland triggered a huge amount of air travel disruption.

If another eruption happens at Fagradalsfjall volcano now, will it have the same impact on travel?

Simon Calder answers your travel questions:

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Magma just 500m below surface

08:14 , Athena Stavrou

An Icelandic Met Office official says it is likely that the magma under Grindavík has come very close to the surface, possibly around 500 meters.

Benedikt Ófeigsson said sulfur dioxide measured in the atmosphere at Grindavík is an indication that the magma lies very shallow.

“SO2 is not released from magma until very close to the surface. It just means the top kilometer,” he told local media.The last measurements, from this weekend, had measured magma at a depth of about 800 meters. Benedikt says, however, that he expects it to be shallower.“ We are talking about maybe 500 meters. It’s unclear, it’s so high pressure, it’s pressure dependent when it comes up. So it’s not possible to tell the depth directly, but it [the magma] must be very shallow for us to see SO2”.

300 earthquakes since midnight - but no eruption yet

07:22 , Athena Stavrou

Good morning and welcome to today’s liveblog on the volcano eruption warnings in Iceland.

As of 7am, there has been no eruption in Iceland and no sign of one.

A total of three hundred earthquakes have been recorded in and around the magma intrusion at Grindaviuk since midnight.

Increased seismic activity in Grindavik as more than 1,900 earthquakes recorded

07:00 , Shweta Sharma

Seismic activity has increased after midnight at Grindavik with more than 1,900 earthquakes recorded there in the last 24 hours, according to state broadcaster RUV.

However there are no signs of an immediate eruption, said Bjarka Kaldalón Friis, a natural disaster specialist at the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

A sinkhole in the town widened following the seismic activity.

Benedikt Ofeigsson, a geophysicist at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, believes the magma could have reached a depth of about 500m.

BBC journalist was in Grindavík as evacuation began

06:30 , Shweta Sharma

The BBC’s Jessica Parker was reporting from Grindavik when authorities ordered an evacuation of the area over fears of an eruption.

She said she was let in very briefly in what was now an abandoned town in Iceland.

Residents were being allowed back into their homes to take their belongings in a tightly controlled operation yesterday.

She described it as a “ghost town”, expressing an eerie feeling as people evacuated.

Decision on Grindavik residents' return home to be made today

06:00 , Shweta Sharma

Iceland’s civil defence agency will decide whether to allow residents to return to Grindavik at a meeting later today.

Hjördís Guðmundsdóttir, communications director of for the National Defence Coordination Centre, said the situation is changing every minute and a decision will be made in the meeting, according to state broadcaster RUV.

“You could say that’s what happens in the morning when the National Weather Service’s experts look at the data and see what can be done,” she said

She said decisions about the next steps are being taken constantly.

“There is a lot of talk about meetings. We found a lot. We’re in meetings all day, we’re taking stock every single hour,” she added.

She said that the response to the elevated levels of sulphur dioxide measured in Grindavik has been as planned.

Iceland races to shield geothermal plant from risk of volcanic eruption

05:30 , Shweta Sharma

Authorities in Iceland are racing to build defence walls around the Svartsengi geothermal power plant, located just over 6kms (4 miles) from Grindavik.

It comes as the probability of an eruption remained high despite a decrease in seismic activity, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said.

Authorities said they were preparing to construct a large dyke designed to divert lava flows around the Svartsengi geothermal power plant.

Justice minister Gudrun Hafsteinsdottir said equipment and materials that could fill 20,000 trucks were being moved to the plant, according to state broadcaster RUV.

Construction of the protective dyke around the power station was awaiting formal approval from the government.

A spokesperson for HS Orka, operator of the power plant, said it supplies power to the entire country, although a disruption would not affect power supply to Reykjavik.

Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town

04:55 , Shweta Sharma

Iceland raises aviation alert amid volcano eruption fears

04:30 , Shweta Sharma

Authorities in Iceland have elevated their aviation alert to orange after increasing concern about a potential volcanic eruption.

Volcanic eruptions present a significant aviation hazard as they can release highly abrasive ash into the upper atmosphere, posing the potential for engine failure, impairment of flight control systems, and diminished visibility.

A major eruption in Iceland in 2010 caused widespread disruption to air travel between Europe and North America, costing airlines an estimated $3bn as they canceled more than 100,000 flights.

Iceland Met Office says eruption status unchanged

04:23 , Maira Butt

Iceland’s Met Office confirmed that the probability of an eruption remained “unchanged” and “gas does not appear unless magma is high in the earth’s crust”.

Meteorologists continue to keep a close eye on the region which was evacuated earlier on Tuesday after high levels of sufur dioxide were detected.

Top tourist attraction, Blue Lagoon, shut for days

03:22 , Maira Butt

Over 700,000 people visit the Blue Lagoon every year, one of Iceland’s top tourist attractions. However, it has been shut until Thursday amid risks of a huge volcanic eruption that could obliterate the town.

Countless couples have had to cancel honeymoons and holidays to the romantic venue which features natural thermal springs and pearly blue water.

The town of Grindavik has been evacuated amid rising risks of an eruption.

Australia issues travel warning for Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula

03:06 , Shweta Sharma

The Australian government has issued a travel advisory for people, asking them to avoid areas near volcano eruption sites and in areas around the Reykjanes peninsula.

“Avoid areas near volcano eruption sites and areas close to mountains with steep slopes on the Reykjanes peninsula due to the danger of falling rocks,” the government’s Smarttraveller website said in an update.

“Volcanic and seismic activity around Mt. Thorbjörn, 40km southwest of Reykjavik and near the Blue Lagoon and Keflavik International Airport, has increased.”

Town could be obliterated in eruption

02:07 , Maira Butt

The town of Grindavik could be obliterated in an eruption, Lydia Patrick reports.

A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned.

The country has been shaken by more than 2,000 small earthquakes in the past few days, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.

Thousands have been told to evacuate Grindavik as a precautionary measure, while a magma tunnel stretches below the surface. If an eruption occurs in or close to the town, the consequences will be devastating, volcanologist Armann Hoskuldsson warned.

He told state broadcaster RUV: “This is very bad news. One of the most serious scenarios is an eruption in the town itself, similar to that in Vestmannaeyjar 50 years ago. This would be much worse.”

Ragga Agustsdottir, who lives close to Grindavik, said residents were fearful of what could happen if an eruption struck. “The scenario on the table now is that it will happen in or just north of the town of Grindavik. There’s no good option here,” she told The Independent.

In case you missed it...

01:06 , Maira Butt

Lydia Patrick reports:

Iceland is bracing itself for a volcanic eruption that will arrive within “hours or days”, experts have warned.

Around 3,000 residents have evacuated the southwestern town of Grindavik close to the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system in the Reykjanes region.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office said on Saturday there was a “considerable” risk of an eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula because of the size of the underground magma intrusion and the rate at which it was moving.

See the full piece here.

Construction of lava barriers begins

00:01 , Maira Butt

The construction of lava barriers has begun around Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon.

The walls are being built to shield the power plant from being damaged and destroyed in the event of an eruption.

Iceland’s Parliament approved a bill just before midnight last night to enable the building of lava barriers, which will be financed through a tax hike, according to Iceland Review.

Volcanic eruption will not be as harmful as fossil fuels

Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:15 , Maira Butt

Threats of an eruption have caused thousands of earthquakes in the last few days, but Mark Gongloff for Bloomberg writes that fossil fuels are still a hundred times more harmful.

In an attempt to clarify rumours circling on social media, the journalist confirmed that planet-warming gases could be emitted. But their scale and content would not be as harmful as the equivalent toxins emitted through human consumption and waste.