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Volcanic danger near Grindavík – travel strongly discouraged

As of April 5, 2025, traveling to Grindavík, Iceland, is not considered safe due to ongoing volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula. 
Grindavík has been rocked by thousands of earthquakes over recent months, a warning sign of intense volcanic unrest beneath the Reykjanes Peninsula. The eruptions, centered around the Sundhnúkur crater row just northeast of town, have opened long fissures in the earth, sending lava flows toward infrastructure and forcing repeated evacuations. Cracks in roads, rising magma, and toxic gas emissions have made Grindavík and the surrounding area a high-risk zone, now officially closed to the public. This photoswere taken during the first major eruption in December 2023, just 4 kilometers from the town. Photo: Steinninn, Wikipedia, CC BY 4.0
Grindavík has been rocked by thousands of earthquakes over recent months, a warning sign of intense volcanic unrest beneath the Reykjanes Peninsula. The eruptions, centered around the Sundhnúkur crater row just northeast of town, have opened long fissures in the earth, sending lava flows toward infrastructure and forcing repeated evacuations. Cracks in roads, rising magma, and toxic gas emissions have made Grindavík and the surrounding area a high-risk zone, now officially closed to the public. This photoswere taken during the first major eruption in December 2023, just 4 kilometers from the town. Photo: Steinninn, Wikipedia, CC BY 4.0

The most recent eruption began on April 1, 2025, leading to the evacuation of Grindavík and the temporary closure of the nearby Blue Lagoon spa. ​

Recent volcanic activity

The April 2025 eruption is the eighth in a series of volcanic events at the Sundhnúksgígar crater row since December 2023. This series of eruptions has significantly impacted the region, particularly the town of Grindavík. 

The Blue Lagoon, Iceland's renowned geothermal spa, is situated approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Sundhnúksgígar crater, the epicenter of recent volcanic eruptions.  These eruptions have significantly impacted the spa's operations, leading to multiple closures. Notably, in 2023, the Blue Lagoon was closed for about seven weeks, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of ISK 4 to 4.5 billion.  Despite these challenges, the spa has shown resilience, with occupancy rates rebounding to around 70% in the latter part of 2024.  However, ongoing volcanic activity continues to pose operational challenges, including infrastructure damage such as the destruction of the spa's parking area by lava flows in November 2024. Photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash
The Blue Lagoon, Iceland's renowned geothermal spa, is situated approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Sundhnúksgígar crater, the epicenter of recent volcanic eruptions.  These eruptions have significantly impacted the spa's operations, leading to multiple closures. Notably, in 2023, the Blue Lagoon was closed for about seven weeks, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of ISK 4 to 4.5 billion.  Despite these challenges, the spa has shown resilience, with occupancy rates rebounding to around 70% in the latter part of 2024.  However, ongoing volcanic activity continues to pose operational challenges, including infrastructure damage such as the destruction of the spa's parking area by lava flows in November 2024. Photo by Leo_Visions on Unsplash

Eruptions in 2023 and 2024

  • December 2023: The initial eruption commenced on December 18, 2023, near Hagafell, approximately 4 km northeast of Grindavík. This event was preceded by intense seismic activity and resulted in lava flows from a 4 km-long fissure. ​

  • January 2024: A subsequent eruption occurred on January 14, 2024, with a fissure opening less than 100 meters from Grindavík. This eruption breached anti-lava defenses and destroyed three homes. ​

  • February 2024: On February 8, 2024, another eruption began north of Sýlingarfell, producing lava fountains between 50–80 meters in height and a volcanic plume up to 3 km high. The lava flow damaged infrastructure, including the main hot water pipeline from the Svartsengi power station, affecting the hot water supply across the Reykjanes Peninsula.

  • March 2024: The fourth eruption started on March 16, 2024, and became the longest in the series, lasting 54 days. A magmatic intrusion earlier in the month had indicated the likelihood of an eruption.


  • May 2024: The fifth eruption began on May 29, 2024, continuing for 24 days. This event caused damage to power lines and severed several road sections.

  • August 2024: Commencing on August 22, 2024, the sixth eruption lasted 14 days and released 61 million cubic meters of lava, covering an area of 15.8 square kilometers. Despite its magnitude, it did not cause infrastructure damage. 

  • November 2024: The seventh eruption began on November 20, 2024, with a fissure initially measuring 2 km long and extending to 3 km. Lava flows reached the Blue Lagoon's parking lot and a temporary service building. Protective measures, including water cannons, were deployed to safeguard infrastructure. 

Distance to Grindavík

Grindavík is located approximately 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) southwest of Iceland's capital, Reykjavík. The driving distance between the two towns is roughly 50 kilometers, taking approximately 42 minutes under normal conditions. ​

Current travel advisory

Given the recent volcanic activity and the evacuations in place, it is advisable to avoid traveling to Grindavík until authorities declare the area safe. Other parts of Iceland, including Reykjavík and Keflavik International Airport, remain unaffected and are operating normally. Travelers should monitor local media and official channels for updates and adhere to guidance from Icelandic authorities. ​


For those planning to visit Iceland, staying informed about the latest developments and following official advisories is essential to ensure safety during travel.


Life in Grindavík once moved to the rhythm of the sea—fishing boats heading out at dawn, neighbors gathering for strong coffee, and steam rising from the nearby Blue Lagoon. But everything changed with the earthquakes and eruptions that began in late 2023. Homes cracked, roads split, and families were forced to evacuate again and again. Beneath the quiet surface, magma still moves. What many don’t know is that Grindavík’s foundations rest on lava fields laid down centuries ago, and its people have always lived with the land's restless energy. Today, many homes stand empty, but locals still return to tend gardens, feed pets, and check if they’ll ever reclaim their town. Life here is no longer predictable—but the spirit of Grindavík endures. Photo: Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia, CC BY 4.0
Life in Grindavík once moved to the rhythm of the sea—fishing boats heading out at dawn, neighbors gathering for strong coffee, and steam rising from the nearby Blue Lagoon. But everything changed with the earthquakes and eruptions that began in late 2023. Homes cracked, roads split, and families were forced to evacuate again and again. Beneath the quiet surface, magma still moves. What many don’t know is that Grindavík’s foundations rest on lava fields laid down centuries ago, and its people have always lived with the land's restless energy. Today, many homes stand empty, but locals still return to tend gardens, feed pets, and check if they’ll ever reclaim their town. Life here is no longer predictable—but the spirit of Grindavík endures. Photo: Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia, CC BY 4.0

Key facts about Grindavik

Grindavík is a coastal fishing town located on the southern coast of Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, approximately 50 kilometers southwest of the capital, Reykjavík.

Population

Before recent volcanic activities, Grindavík had a population of around 3,000 residents. However, due to ongoing volcanic eruptions and associated evacuations, the current number of inhabitants has significantly decreased.


Economy

The town's economy is predominantly centered around the fishing industry. Grindavík is home to well-established processing plants and a large fleet of fishing vessels, making it one of Iceland's strongest fishing industry townships.

History

Grindavík's history dates back to around 934 AD when Viking explorers first settled the area. The town developed as one of the few harbors along Iceland's rugged southwestern coast, establishing itself as a vital fishing hub over the centuries.

Notable attractions

One of Grindavík's most renowned attractions is the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa located approximately 5 kilometers from the town center. The spa is famous for its mineral-rich waters and is a significant draw for tourists visiting Iceland.

Geothermal activity

The region around Grindavík is geothermally active, contributing to its unique landscapes and attractions like the Blue Lagoon. However, this geothermal activity also poses challenges, as evidenced by the recent volcanic eruptions that have impacted the town and its residents.

For a visual overview of the challenges faced by Grindavík due to volcanic activity, you can watch the following video:


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