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
Hawaii Cleaning Up After Lala, Another System on its Tail

Hawaii Cleaning Up After Lala, Another System on its Tail

Lala did not make a direct landfall on the Ha

19 Aug 2026 10:30 PM
Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

A ridge of high pressure has dominated the so

19 Aug 2026 10:25 PM
Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms Return to the Southwest

Heat, Some Humidity, and Storms Return to the Southwest

As we get through the work week, high pressur

19 Aug 2026 10:00 PM
Severe Storms Stick Around the Country This Week

Severe Storms Stick Around the Country This Week

Today, there are two areas of a slight risk f

19 Aug 2026 8:40 PM
Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

Front That Caused Flooding Heading East

MIDWEST - After a week of flooding rains in t

18 Aug 2026 1:30 AM
What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th

What to Know About the Total Solar Eclipse on August 12th

Get ready for one of the most spectacular dis

13 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
Repeated Severe Threat for the High Plains

Repeated Severe Threat for the High Plains

HIGH PLAINS - Tuesday proved to be an incredi

13 Aug 2026 1:30 AM