Iceland is open: volcano update

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About Iceland's Latest Volcanic Activity

Page updated: 18 March 2024

A fissure eruption started on 16 March 2024 between Hagafell and Stóra Skógfell, two hills near the town of Grindavík, in southwest Iceland. This is the fourth eruption of its kind in this area since December.

Everyone living in Grindavík was safely evacuated before the eruptions began.

You might be wondering how safe it is to visit Iceland. Fortunately, the Icelandic authorities asserted that the volcanic activity here isn't dangerous, provided you follow all safety advice

There hasn't been any disruption to flights or airport transfers. And the main road around Iceland – the Ring Road – has remained open as usual. All tours have gone ahead as planned.

Whether you've booked a trip or are thinking about visiting Iceland, you can go ahead with your travel plans. Rest assured we are monitoring the situation closely and will update you as new information becomes available.

Watch this Q&A and learn why Iceland is safe to visit from Dr Matthew Roberts, Managing Director at the Icelandic Met Office.


Keep reading for more information about this volcanic activity, including where to find the latest advice and safety tips. Plus, learn more about why you can travel with peace of mind in our Book With Confidence policy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

To help answer your queries about volcanic activity in Iceland, our local travel experts have compiled their tips and safety advice below. They are based in the Icelandic capital, Reykjavík, and have all the latest updates you’ll need.

Yes, there is currently a volcanic eruption taking place on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland. This began on 16 March 2024 between Hagafell and Stóra Skógfell, north of Grindavík town.

This is a fissure eruption, which means that the lava flow is contained in a localised area. The event is not considered dangerous to travellers or disruptive to air travel.

The site of the 16 March eruption is around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital.

Yes, it’s safe to visit Iceland. There are no flight disruptions due to the eruption, and the main road around Iceland – the Ring Road – is open as usual.

All tours have gone ahead as planned, and there's no need to cancel your trip to Iceland. But you can contact your dedicated travel consultant if you are in doubt about any part of your itinerary.

As nature can be unpredictable and the current situation may change, we are closely following updates from the authorities. We will do our best to keep all of our customers informed about anything that could impact their travel plans.

Keflavík Airport is open as normal. The Reykjanes peninsula has experienced a few volcanic eruptions since 2021, none of which disrupted ongoing tours or flights.

Some may be thinking of the events of 2010, when Eyjafjallajökull erupted. This disrupted air travel due to large ash clouds. But the events that have taken place in Reykjanes since 2021 are very different, as these are fissure eruptions which are much smaller in scale and do not produce ash.

You can check Keflavík Airport website for any flight-related updates.

The Blue Lagoon is temporarily closed until further notice. It’s likely to stay closed while the eruption is taking place.

If you’ve booked entry to the Blue Lagoon with us, we can cancel your Blue Lagoon booking and fully refund the experience for you. Or your travel consultant can also try to find an alternative geothermal lagoon. Please note that this is subject to availability.

Volcanic activity is normal in Iceland, thanks to the pulling apart of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Locals are used to events such as earthquakes and eruptions, and the authorities know how to deal with situations like these.

The Reykjanes peninsula, in particular, is teeming with incredible volcanic landscapes and is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark. Since 2021, there’s been increased activity here, around the Fagradasfjall volcanic area. It signals the start of a new volcanic cycle in the region, and scientists predict that this activity could continue for decades to come. 

There have been fissure eruptions here since 2021. The type of eruption was the same for all these events, and it didn’t put people in danger or disrupt flights and tours.

After the authorities declared it safe, the sites were opened, so locals and visitors could go to the eruption sites in person. Witnessing the mesmerising orange lava is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many travellers.

Good to know: When you visit Iceland with Nordic Visitor, you’ll have a dedicated travel consultant who will keep you informed about any volcano eruptions or earthquakes. And you’ll have access to our 24/7 helpline during your trip.

You can use these resources to find out more:

Ways to travel in Iceland

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Travel Ideas and Tour Themes

Take a look at these special themed packages to find your perfect match.

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Here are some of our accreditations and professional memberships that reflect our commitment to creating unrivalled travel experiences for you.

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We are based in Iceland so we know how to deal with events like volcano eruptions or severe weather. You’ll have our local support around the clock during your trip with our 24/7 helpline. Should anything unexpected arise, we will take care of reworking your itinerary while keeping you safe and informed.

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With Nordic Visitor, you’ll have a dedicated travel consultant who will take care of organising everything for you. They’ll plan your route, book your accommodation, and arrange your activities, such as a volcano tour. While they handle the planning, you can relax and look forward to your trip.

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With Nordic Visitor, you have peace of mind knowing your tour arrangements with us are 100% financially protected. Your payments are safeguarded as we comply with European Union laws on Package Travel regulations. This guarantees you a refund in the unlikely event of insolvency.

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