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
Texas Facing Major Flood Threat This week

Texas Facing Major Flood Threat This week

Texas is facing a major flooding threat this

14 Jul 2026 2:05 AM
Rare Enhanced Severe Threat For New England

Rare Enhanced Severe Threat For New England

After several stormy days to end the previous

14 Jul 2026 2:00 AM
Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat, Strong Storms Impact the Southeast

Saharan Dust, Excessive Heat, Strong Storms Impact the Southeast

Hazy skies will be hovering over portions of

14 Jul 2026 1:45 AM
Historic Heatwave Hits the Northern Rockies, California Heat Expands

Historic Heatwave Hits the Northern Rockies, California Heat Expands

Dangerous heat and record high temperatures c

13 Jul 2026 9:50 PM
Monsoon Moisture Returns to the Southwest, Increasing Storm and Flash Flood Potential

Monsoon Moisture Returns to the Southwest, Increasing Storm and Flash Flood Potential

After weeks of hot and mostly dry weather, th

13 Jul 2026 9:30 PM
Another Day of Storms for the Plains & Front Range

Another Day of Storms for the Plains & Front Range

Several rounds of severe weather have been ro

11 Jul 2026 1:50 AM
Babylon Fire in UT Surpasses 100,000 Acres, CO Fires Continue to Grow

Babylon Fire in UT Surpasses 100,000 Acres, CO Fires Continue to Grow

The Aspen Acres fire continues to burn in Sou

10 Jul 2026 1:40 AM