Evacuations Ordered in Iceland After Volcano Erupts Again

news image
Special Stories
18 Mar 2024 4:25 PM

The same volcano that has erupted 3 previous times this year has started up again. Near Grindavik, the volcano started erupting late Saturday night. The Icelandic Met Office said a 2.9 km (1.8 mile) fissure formed between Mount Hagafell and Mount Stora Skogfell.

The Met Office mentioned that the activity has waned noticeably over the past 24 hours but at times the lava was reaching speeds of one kilometer per hour (that's a little over half a mile per hour). While the pace of the lava has slowed considerably, if it makes it to the sea and rapidly cools, it could lead to some potentially hazardous gases. The Icelandic Met Office does not believe this is a likely outcome unless something changes.

A state of emergency was declared for the southern portion of the peninsula on Saturday, with "hundreds" evacuated from the Blue Lagoon thermal spa.

All Weather News
More
Mount Slushmore? Taking a look at Dakota Snow Chances

Mount Slushmore? Taking a look at Dakota Snow Chances

The cooler weather is finding places to go fi

25 Oct 2026 10:45 PM
Major River Flooding Causes Damage; Another Day of Storms in New Mexico

Major River Flooding Causes Damage; Another Day of Storms in New Mexico

A powerful low pressure system has been movin

25 Oct 2026 10:25 PM
Tropical Storm  Vance Swirling in the Pacific

Tropical Storm Vance Swirling in the Pacific

After becoming a hurricane Friday, Vance has

25 Oct 2026 10:00 PM
Sunny Day Flooding; King Tides Surge This Week

Sunny Day Flooding; King Tides Surge This Week

This week, the ocean is coming to low lying a

25 Oct 2026 8:55 PM
Warmer Than Average: Above-Normal Temperatures Across the Central U.S. This Week

Warmer Than Average: Above-Normal Temperatures Across the Central U.S. This Week

WHAT TO EXPECTA ridge of high pressure linger

25 Oct 2026 10:15 AM
Josephine is Now Post-Tropical

Josephine is Now Post-Tropical

SETUPThe National Hurricane Center was watchi

23 Oct 2026 1:20 AM
Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Last Week Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Several Fires Break Out in SoCal Last Week Amid Santa Ana Wind Event

Santa Ana winds helped several fires grow qui

19 Oct 2026 1:25 PM