Iceland Volcano Erupts in the Reykjanes Peninsula

news image
Special Stories
21 Dec 2023 1:35 PM

After an increase in seismic activity in November prompted evacuations to entire towns in the Reykjanes Peninsula of Iceland, the volcano finally started erupting on Monday, December 18th. The first eruption began at 10:17 PM local time on Monday, December 18th between Sýlingarfell and Hagafell. According to the Icelandic Met Office, the eruption is expected to weaken and aerial images have shown that the previous five vents are now down to three vents, erupting just southeast of the town of Stora-Skogfell.

Since this eruption began, there were about 320 earthquakes that were detected, the largest earthquake was a magnitude 4.1 which happened around 11:25 PM locally on Monday.

According to the RUV, a Level of Emergency has been declared by Civil Defense. There is no immediate threat of lava flow to the town of Grindavik and volcanic gas is drifting eastward over uninhabited areas and out to sea.

For more information, you can follow along with the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, also known as RÚV.

All Weather News
More
Tropics: Fausto Heads to Hawaii; Genevieve Will Become a Major Hurricane

Tropics: Fausto Heads to Hawaii; Genevieve Will Become a Major Hurricane

Atlantic BasinBertha has dissipated after mov

25 Jul 2026 7:25 PM
Fire Weather Continues This Weekend

Fire Weather Continues This Weekend

Conditions have been really dry out west. We'

25 Jul 2026 7:20 PM
Severe Storms Target the Midwest This Weekend

Severe Storms Target the Midwest This Weekend

Extreme heat will be a big story this week ac

25 Jul 2026 7:10 PM
Heat Wave Grips Central, Western U.S.

Heat Wave Grips Central, Western U.S.

Are you over the summer heat yet? SouthwestEx

25 Jul 2026 5:20 PM
Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

A stalled boundary over the Southeast will ke

25 Jul 2026 10:55 AM
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Tuesday brought severe weather again across p

23 Jul 2026 1:15 AM
Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The upper-level low train continues to keep t

21 Jul 2026 1:45 AM