Page updated - 14 November 2023

The earthquakes are taking place near Þorbjörn, a mountain close to the small town of Grindavík, on the Reykjanes peninsula. The area is about 40 km (25 mi) from Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík.

In response, the local authorities evacuated Grindavík and the surrounding area on 11 November 2023 to ensure the safety of its residents. The nearby Blue Lagoon has also been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.

At the moment, there is no volcanic eruption in Iceland. But there are indicators of a possible eruption near the town of Grindavík. 

The Icelandic authorities and scientists continue to closely monitor the situation. To stay up to date with the latest seismic activity, please visit the Icelandic Meteorological Office. If you’re in the country, we also recommend signing up for alerts and notifications from Safetravel.

If you are visiting Iceland with us soon, our travel specialists will keep you updated as the situation evolves.  

Currently, all airlines are operating on schedule, and scientists believe that flights are unlikely to be affected in the case of an eruption. Please get in touch with your airline for further info.

Yes, it’s still safe to visit Iceland. There’s no need to change your travel plans or cancel your trip. But if you’re unsure about any part of your upcoming trip with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We’re closely following the latest updates from authorities, and we’ll do our best to keep travelers informed of any changes that could affect their travel plans. 

The most recent eruption took place near the peak of Litli-Hrútur, a mountain close to the center of the Reykjanes peninsula. This is a geologically active area, where 3 volcanic eruptions have taken place since 2021.

The last eruption started on 10 July 2023 after intense earthquake activity and came to an end in August 2023. Luckily, the lava flow was contained in a remote area, and there was no risk to nearby communities, infrastructure or flights.

The 2021 and 2022 Fagradalsfjall eruptions occurred in the Geldingadalur and Meradalir valleys.

According to the Icelandic Met Office, it’s likely that seismic activity will continue at irregular intervals. The Icelandic authorities and scientists, who are highly prepared for events like this, are closely monitoring the area for any changes.

We encourage you to seek information from local Icelandic sources. Here are a few useful websites to stay up to date with the latest info: