Iceland is open: volcano update

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About Iceland's Latest Volcanic Activity

Page updated: 10 December 2024

The most recent eruption began on 20 November 2024 between Stóra-Scógfell and Sýlingarfell in southwest Iceland. Soon after it began, the eruption slowed significantly, and there is no longer any visible activity here.

You might be wondering how safe it is to visit Iceland when these eruptions are taking place. Fortunately, the Icelandic authorities assert that the volcanic activity here isn’t dangerous, provided you follow all safety advice.

There’s no disruption to flights or airport transfers. And the main road around Iceland – the Ring Road – is open as usual. All tours can go 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.

No, there isn’t any visible activity at the newest eruption site on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula. The eruption near Sýlingarfell, northeast of Grindavík town, began on 20 November 2024 and was declared over a couple of weeks later.

As this was a fissure eruption, the lava flow was contained in a localised area. The event was not considered dangerous to travellers, nor was it disruptive to air travel.

The site of the 20 November eruption was around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital.

These eruptions – which have been taking place since 2021 – have not disrupted flights. 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.

Due to its proximity to the eruption sites, the Blue Lagoon has had to close at times since the eruptions began, as a precautionary measure. This means that the lagoon might close temporarily at short notice.

Check this Blue Lagoon page for the latest opening information.

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:

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