New volcanic eruption in Iceland: lava bubbles near Grindavík!

New volcanic eruption in Iceland: lava bubbles near Grindavík!

On April 1, 2025, a significant volcanic eruption began on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, southwest of Reykjavik. Loud vol.at The eruption occurred north of the fishing village of Grindavík, where an opening about 700 meters long opened and allowed lava to flow out. The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency has declared an emergency level to protect residents of nearby areas.

The current eruption is the eleventh since 2021 and the eighth since December 2023. The previous eruptions were preceded by an earthquake-related swarm in the region, underscoring the worrying activity of the volcanoes. A new crack even opened near Grindavík shortly after the first eruption.

Evacuations and security measures

Authorities reacted quickly and evacuated the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa and the fishing village of Grindavík. However, despite the calls to evacuate, eight people remained behind in Grindavík. There are concerns that the escaping lava could breach a protective barrier north of the village, with potentially catastrophic consequences.

In addition, authorities have warned the population about toxic gases that could be carried towards the capital region. These safety alerts are part of the comprehensive measures put in place to protect the population and minimize the impact of the outbreak.

A look at volcanic activity in Iceland

The eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula are fissure eruptions in which elongated fissures in the earth open. These dynamic processes are the result of multiple volcanic systems with underground magma chambers that pump magma from the Earth's interior to the surface. Iceland itself is located in the North Atlantic and has around 360,000 inhabitants. The island is about the size of Switzerland and is home to 33 active volcanoes, making it an important location for geological research. ZDF highlights that scientific studies in Iceland provide great insight into geological processes and the history of the earth.

Iceland has suffered from volcanic eruptions several times in the past. In particular, the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010 led to massive flight cancellations in North America and Europe. The measuring devices on the island continuously monitor seismic activity in order to be able to react in a timely manner to future eruptions.

Research teams expect this cycle of active eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula could continue for many years after the region was seismically quiet for nearly 800 years until the first eruption of the current series in March 2021.