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
High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

High Heat & Humidity Across the Southwest

Temperatures not only broke records on Wednes

10 Sep 2026 1:05 AM
The Pacific Remains Active

The Pacific Remains Active

The Pacific hurricane season is showing no si

10 Sep 2026 1:00 AM
Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

Rounds of Severe Storms Target the Plains

The plains have had an active summer. Severe

10 Sep 2026 1:00 AM
Will It Ever End? Heat Wave Persists for Much of the South & Plains

Will It Ever End? Heat Wave Persists for Much of the South & Plains

A relentless ridge of high pressure has been

10 Sep 2026 12:40 AM
Labor Day Travel Underway as Americans Hit the Roads and Take to the Skies

Labor Day Travel Underway as Americans Hit the Roads and Take to the Skies

The unofficial end of summer is bringing anot

7 Sep 2026 2:10 PM
Power Still Out for Thousands; Severe Storms Target the East Coast This Weekend

Power Still Out for Thousands; Severe Storms Target the East Coast This Weekend

Severe storms have been following the same pa

5 Sep 2026 1:50 PM
Flood Threat Lingers in Texas After Edouard

Flood Threat Lingers in Texas After Edouard

Intense rainfall has inundated parts of Texas

4 Sep 2026 1:00 AM