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
TROPICS: Fernand Spins Around Atlantic, Four Areas to Watch in the Pacific

TROPICS: Fernand Spins Around Atlantic, Four Areas to Watch in the Pacific

About two-thirds of all Atlantic hurricane ac

27 Aug 2025 2:50 AM
More Records Fall Behind Impressive Front

More Records Fall Behind Impressive Front

A strong Summer cold front knifed its way thr

27 Aug 2025 2:25 AM
Monsoon Moisture Surges, Flood Risk From California to Colorado

Monsoon Moisture Surges, Flood Risk From California to Colorado

A surge of Monsoon moisture is streaming acro

27 Aug 2025 2:25 AM
Northwest: Fire Danger and Flooding

Northwest: Fire Danger and Flooding

Conditions for the Northwest have been hot an

27 Aug 2025 2:25 AM
Heat Alerts Continue for the Northwest

Heat Alerts Continue for the Northwest

Upper-level high pressure will stay dominant

26 Aug 2025 9:35 AM
Monsoon Moisture Drifts Into The Northwest

Monsoon Moisture Drifts Into The Northwest

A surge of Monsoon moisture is headed for the

26 Aug 2025 8:10 AM
Front Brings Storms to the Midwest and Front Range

Front Brings Storms to the Midwest and Front Range

A strong cold front is pushing across the Fro

25 Aug 2025 2:30 AM