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Updates regarding checkpoints and openings due to ongoing eruption

The police chief has reduced the containment area due to the ongoing volcanic eruption at Sundhnúkagígar.
25.08.2024

The Chief of Police in Suðurnes, in consultation with the Chief of National Police, have lowered the level of preparedness due to an eruption at Sundhnúksgíga to a dangerous level. With that decision, the closure area has also been reduced and the closure posts have mostly been restored. 

The eruption is still ongoing, but the most active is in the crater north of Stóra Skógfell. It is important that visitors keep in mind the possible gas pollution from the eruption during it. You can monitor the wind direction in the area on the website of the Icelandic Meteorological Agency . 

Closure post on Grindavíkurvegur - The Blue Lagoon is open

On Saturday, access to Svartsengi was opened, including the Blue Lagoon and the Northern Light Inn. However, only those with a booking at the aforementioned parties can gain access. Guests must show a booking or confirmation of a service booking at the closing post at Seltjörn.

Closing post on Suðurstrandarvegur - Fagradalsfjall 

The road closure post on Suðurstrandarveð has been moved to the parking lot P1 at Fagradalsfjall, and as a result, access to all hiking trails around the volcanoes has been opened from 2021 to 2023. It is important to keep in mind possible gas pollution in the area and check the conditions before proceeding. off into the area. Wind forecasts for the area can be found on the Icelandic Meteorological Agency's website.

Closure post on Nesvegur - Access to Gunnuhver and Brimketill

The closure post on Nesvegur has been moved. With that decision, all the main attractions on the western side of the Reykjanes Peninsula are now open, including Bridge between the continents, Reykjanesviti, Gunnuhver and Brimketill. 

Do not walk to the eruption

Visitors who want to view and see the eruption are advised to use the viewpoints on the northern side of the peninsula, which can be seen on the map below. Then visitors are discouraged from walking to the eruption site. There are no marked hiking trails to the area, the old lava is rough and turfy, and dangers can lurk in many hidden ravines. 



The power of the current eruption has decreased as the days go by, however there are still risks attached to attempting to hike to the area. The lava is flowing through Vogaheiði, which was a training area for the US army between 1952 and 1960. A sizeable portion of this area contains munitions left over from that time period, and the lava could therefore trigger them. 

It is important to keep in mind that:

  • It is safest to watch the eruption online via webcams, for example on ruv.is and mbl.is, while the conditions are being assessed, but you can also watch it from vantage points, for example at Reykjanesbær or Vogar. The eruption site is not open, so you cannot walk to it.
  • Reykjanesbraut is open to traffic, but it is not advisable for pedestrians to park their cars on the shoulder. Also, be careful at the vantage points as there is a lot of traffic. Flights to and from Keflavík Airport are scheduled. 

Useful links to monitor and review updates on the events: