Volcano Tourism In Iceland Is A Thing; And Here’s What You Need To Know

Iceland is a stunning country with a lot to offer to the tourists visiting, but in the last two years, something new has come up. Centred around the Reykjanes Peninsula near Reykjavík, Volcanic activity in Iceland has been simmering on for months, and adventure lovers have been quite excited to explore and experience it. 
After multiple earthquakes, the most recent sequence of volcanic eruptions began at the end of 2023. When an explosion along a 2.5-mile fissure sent lava into the air a few miles northeast of the fishing village of Grindavík, another happened soon after.

Now, a new fissure nearby Sýlingarfell, northeast of Grindavík, has begun spouting lava and smoke.

How did it all start?

In 2021, after 6,000 years lying dormant, the volcano sprang back into life with the appearance of a 600 ft-long fissure. Until that moment, the region hadn’t seen an eruption for over 800 years. Three small blasts followed (in 2021, 2022 and the summer of 2023), each producing fountains of fire.

While the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula was dormant for about 6000 years, it was only in 2021 that it sprang back into life with the appearance of a 600 ft-long fissure. Three small blasts followed (in 2021, 2022 and the summer of 2023), each producing flaming geysers.

The cause? A nine-mile dike! A nine-mile dike, an underground pathway that allows magma to travel towards the surface, on the Reykjanes Peninsula was discovered to be the hidden cause. Since then, there have been subsequent eruptions that have reached the town of Grindavík. If any additional volcanic activity occurs, it’ll be confined to this region.

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What does volcanic tourism in Iceland mean for travellers?

Volcanic activity in Iceland is not new, and the country has many tourist attractions based around it. Whether it is a helicopter ride over a volcano or exploring the insides of a dormant volcano at Thrihnukagigur, options are plenty. And given its interesting geographical features, a lot of stunning places to explore in Iceland have to do with volcanic activity, like the Blue Lagoon, where you get to enjoy a geo-thermal experience.

That said, volcano tourism has taken a different turn in recent months. So far, the greatest disruption due to this volcanic activity in Iceland has been to the residents of Grindavík, who were evacuated prior to the December eruption. 

Following recent disruptions, some homes here have been destroyed by lava. The nearby Blue Lagoon, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland has briefly closed, on and off, as a precautionary response to the eruptions, specifically affected by this and nothing else. However, Reykjavík and the international airport remained unaffected.

Since then, ‘Volcano tourists’ have converged on the area, hoping for a glimpse of the lava. However, the Police of Iceland warned people to “think four times” before attempting to get close to the sites, following the rescue of an exhausted hiker by helicopter.

When might the next eruption occur?

The volcanoes can be unpredictable, and this makes it hard to say anything about any further volcanic activity in Iceland with 100% certainty. “Most volcanologists seem to agree that this period of volcanic activity is going to go on for many years, if not decades,” says Dr Robin Andrews, a volcanologist. As there’s no central volcano in Iceland, it becomes even tougher to study the systems.

Are we likely to see another event like the 2010 ash cloud?

While experts in the fields of volcanology and aviation consider a direct recurrence of the events that followed the Eyjafjallajökull eruption improbable, the potential for significant volcanic ash disruption remains. Back in the day, there was a six-day shutdown of European airspace due to the presence of ash in quantities sufficient to cause engine failure in planes. Some 100,000 flights were cancelled.

Talking about the current situation, the world of aviation has seen advancements in technology since 2010, and the EASA has confirmed it is better prepared for volcanic ash.

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Is it safe to go to Iceland?

Currently, volcanic activity in Iceland is largely isolated to the Reykjanes Peninsula. Beyond this region, Iceland is safe, and tourist hotspots remain operational.

Whether you've come for volcano tourism in Iceland or are seeking some other major attraction, you must keep a check on the volcanic activity. Experts recommend monitoring the advice of the Icelandic Meteorological Office, which shares comprehensive data on the latest activity. And while you're in Iceland, monitor local news and adhere to local authority guidance.