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
Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms for the Southwest the Next Few Days

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms for the Southwest the Next Few Days

Record-high temperatures broke today in the S

24 Aug 2026 1:20 AM
Rounds of Storms for the Southeast

Rounds of Storms for the Southeast

In addition to the hot temperatures across th

24 Aug 2026 1:15 AM
Multiple Days of Severe Weather For The  Plains

Multiple Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

WHAT TO EXPECTA strong ridge of high pressure

24 Aug 2026 1:10 AM
Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Record heat rolls on across the Lone Star Sta

24 Aug 2026 1:00 AM
Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Late Week

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Late Week

El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in

24 Aug 2026 1:00 AM
Tropical Storm Moke Brushes Hawaii Today

Tropical Storm Moke Brushes Hawaii Today

TROPICAL STORM MOKEJust a little over a week

24 Aug 2026 12:35 AM
Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

A stormy end to the week is taking shape for

21 Aug 2026 10:00 AM