Reykjanes Peninsula

On March 19, 2021, the Reykjanes Peninsula erupted for the first time in 800 years. The Fagradalsfjall eruption at Geldingadalir drew over 350,000 visitors and became Iceland's most spectacular natural event in living memory. Families hiked across fresh lava fields in the dark to watch fountains of molten rock light the sky — a scene from deep geological time, happening 40 kilometres from the capital.

Since that first eruption, the system has produced 12 separate eruptions, fundamentally reshaping the landscape and making the Reykjanes Peninsula one of the most dynamic volcanic destinations on Earth. The eruption series shifted from the relatively remote Fagradalsfjall site to the Sundhnúksgígar crater row — much closer to Grindavík and critical infrastructure including the Blue Lagoon and Svartsengi geothermal plant.

Grindavík, a fishing town of 3,500 residents, has borne the greatest human cost of the eruption series. The first Sundhnúks eruption in December 2023 initiated a period of evacuations and infrastructure damage that has left the town largely emptied. Lava flows from the January 2024 Hagafell eruption reached the town itself, destroying homes. Subsequent eruptions have continued to threaten the remaining infrastructure.

The broader Reykjanes Peninsula has seen 15 kilometres of road infrastructure affected, multiple Blue Lagoon closures, and lava barriers hastily constructed to protect the Svartsengi geothermal plant. More than 50 Blue Lagoon closures have occurred since the eruption series began — the spa now maintains evacuation protocols as standard operating procedure.

When no eruption is active, the fresh lava fields from the various eruptions are themselves extraordinary to walk through. Cooling lava creates bizarre textures — ropey pahoehoe, sharp-edged a'a, lava tubes, and steaming fissures. The 2021 Fagradalsfjall fields are particularly dramatic: the scale of how much landscape was remade in six months is only apparent on foot.

Access to viewing areas changes with volcanic activity. During quiet periods, marked hiking trails are established to safe distances. During eruptions, authorities set up designated viewing areas at safe distances. Always check SafeTravel.is for current access conditions before driving to the peninsula.