Local government and emergency response unit reports

Eighth Volcanic Eruption Since March 2021 Begins on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula

May 29, 2024, 01:14 PM

A new volcanic eruption has commenced on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, marking the eighth eruption in this area since March 2021. The eruption, which began on May 29, 2024, follows a series of seismic activities, including 150 earthquakes detected between Mt. Sýlingarfell and Mt. Stóra-Skógafell in the last two hours. Warning sirens have sounded in Grindavík, and evacuation notices have been issued to residents due to the impending volcanic activity. The National Police Commissioner has declared a state of emergency, and the flight color code has been changed to red pending ash distribution details. The eruption is located at the Sundhnúksgígaröður crater row, and the famous Blue Lagoon has been evacuated as a precaution. This eruption comes only 20 days after the last eruption was officially declared over. The fissure is reportedly getting bigger, and live video shows the eruption near a fishing town already severely damaged by previous seismic events.