Eruption ongoing and updated road closures
From June 8 onwards. Updates will be posted when changes occur.
The eruption which started Wednesday, May 29 is still ongoing on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The eruption is the eighth one in Reykjanes in the last three years. The first eruption started on the 19th of March 2021.
A new alternative route to the Blue Lagoon is available, you can find more information here.
Access to the eruption site and nature highlights in Reykjaes:
- Road closures are set up by Staður (west of Grindavik) on road no. 425, on Grindavikurvegur (road no. 43) by the lake Seltjörn and Suðurstrandarvegur (no 427) by Krísuvíkurvegur. These closures can have a temporary effect on some of the sites in the Reykjanes region; The Bridge between continents, Gunnuhver geothermal area, Reykjanes lighthouse, the Blue lagoon, Eldvörp, and the eruption sites in Mt. Fagradalsfjall. Any updates will be posted as soon as it changes.
- Today these nature highlights are closed:
- The new eruption site is closed. Visitors need to view it from afar (viewing sites can be found on the map below). Please respect the closures and follow the instructions from the authorities.
- The eruption site and hiking trails in Mt. Fagradalsfjall are closed
- Krísuvíkurbjarg (cliffs), Húsatóftir, Katlahraun (lava field), Selatangar, Eldvörp and Mt. Þorbjörn are closed
- Today these nature highlights are closed:
- The eruption can be seen from the main road no. 41 (Reykjanesbraut), but visitors are advised not to stop the cars on the highway. Below is a map with locations of good viewing sites, for example, the old Patterson airstrip and Ásbrú.
- The access to the area is closed and road no. 43 towards Grindavik has been closed. Further information and updates on road closures can be viewed on the road administration website, www.road.is.
To view the map better, use your mouse or fingers to move it around and zoom in and out.
Monitoring of the eruption:
The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management and the local authorities have activated all necessary security measures. The scientists at the Icelandic Metrologic Office and from the Universities are processing the information gathered and monitoring the event. When the area and the information on the event have been properly processed, an update will be published here regarding accessibility to the area.
Useful links to monitor and review updates on the events:
- The Icelandic MET office: Latest information on the seismic activity and development of events. The Icelandic Meteorological Office is observing and monitoring the eruption, analyzing developments and updating on any changes in cooperation with the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, and a team of scientists from the University of Iceland.
- The Icelandic Road Administration: Information on road conditions and closures in the Reykjanes region
- Safetravel: Updates on safety
- The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service: News coverage
- Visit Reykjanes: Updates on travel information in the Reykjanes region
- Iceland Ministry for Foreign Affairs: FAQ regarding flights and other info
- Live feeds from the area: ruv.is - mbl.is - visir.is - livefromiceland.is