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Original poster

Likely another Icelandic eruption coming soon

89 replies

Puffinshop · 02/08/2022 11:30

To all those who enjoyed watching and maybe visiting the volcano last year - the earthquakes have started again (been woken up with the bed shaking for the past 3 nights), very similar to what we experienced in the run up to the 2021 eruption at Fagradalsfjall. It's quite likely that lava will break the surface somewhere on the Reykjanes peninsula some time not too long from now.

If anyone missed the last volcano and really wanted to see it, this autumn would be a strong bet for a volcano watching trip to Iceland.

No guarantees of course, and if it does happen it might not be so easily accessible, but watch this space!

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EhatBow · 02/08/2022 11:32

Oh. I'm flying to Reykjavik on Friday. I'm not sure if this is good news or not?!

Too soon anyway?

Original poster
Puffinshop · 02/08/2022 11:35

If it does erupt, it will be a lava eruption I believe. So no ash to disrupt air traffic.

You will probably feel some earthquakes (I felt one just now as typing this) :) Nothing to worry about, they can be annoying and disturb your sleep but Icelandic buildings are built to a very high standard and will not be damaged.

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Original poster
Puffinshop · 02/08/2022 11:38

In Grindavík and that area, things are falling off shelves and smashing and there have been some disruptions to the water supply. So it's worse there - if you're planning to stay on the Reykjanes peninsula it is something to be aware of.

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Pasithean · 02/08/2022 11:56

Iceland is my one and only thing on my bucket list but due to my health I cannot travel. It must be absolutely amazing to have such a relationship with Mother Nature.

Tomnooktoldmeto · 02/08/2022 13:31

Ooh I wish we were there, have been following Grapevine for a long time and loved their YouTube channel videos of the last eruption . Still hoping to get there but I need surgery first on my eyes to make the most of it

thecatsthecats · 02/08/2022 14:15

Pasithean · 02/08/2022 11:56

Iceland is my one and only thing on my bucket list but due to my health I cannot travel. It must be absolutely amazing to have such a relationship with Mother Nature.

It's so cool isn't it?

We found an upright boulder on a walk that had fallen during an earthquake. It was stood upright, and we joked that it would be funny if we got squished if another earthquake struck right then.

Of course we got back to our accommodation, and our host told us that there had been a minor earthquake - we checked the time and it was exactly when we'd taken the photo of the boulder!

Lucky for us it was only a 3 :D

Original poster
Puffinshop · 02/08/2022 14:37

Are you here now @thecatsthecats? Genuinely if you are on the Reykjanes peninsula you should be extra cautious of rockfalls right now!

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Delatron · 02/08/2022 15:03

Yikes. DH about to fly to Iceland on Friday to do a ridiculous middle aged man challenge which involves cycling/kayaking and running across the whole country. Is this a worry?

takeitandleaveit · 02/08/2022 15:30

Crikey, I was literally just thinking about Icelandic volcanoes on the way to work this morning.

Perhaps it's my fault and I've brought it on!!!

Original poster
Puffinshop · 02/08/2022 15:39

Delatron · 02/08/2022 15:03

Yikes. DH about to fly to Iceland on Friday to do a ridiculous middle aged man challenge which involves cycling/kayaking and running across the whole country. Is this a worry?

Not at all. When/if it comes it'll be a lava eruption like last year. Generally speaking, lava can't really hurt you unless you are being very stupid (e.g. climbing on very fresh lava or standing too close downhill from a flow). Roads and other infrastructure could be threatened because they are stationary but I believe I'm right in saying that no human has ever been directly hurt by lava in Iceland.

Ash and glacial floods won't be an issue.

With the earthquakes, they are mostly just an annoyance or a bit exciting the first few times. If you're going to be on the Reykjanes peninsula itself, be a bit wary of loose rocks and don't put things that could smash where they could fall down. In the capital region and elsewhere you don't even have to be concerned about that. Buildings absolutely will withstand the quakes, there is nothing to worry about there.

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Original poster
Puffinshop · 02/08/2022 15:52

Last year's eruption was a small effusive eruption. The most dangerous thing about it were the poisonous gases. Thousands and thousands of people hiked to see it and nobody was hurt beyond normal hiking incidents, twisted ankles etc. And it stopped before it got to the road.

It was absolutely incredible to see and anyone would be lucky to be in the country if we do get a take 2! (Though I wouldn't want to own a house in that area tbh).

Scientists say that Reykjanes has entered a new volcanic age. There will be many eruptions over the next century or so!

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Delatron · 02/08/2022 17:59

Thanks for the reassurance @Puffinshop and it all sounds fascinating.

maranella · 02/08/2022 18:02

How exciting! Could it be Fagradalsfjall reawakening or are the earthquakes centred somewhere else?

Original poster
Puffinshop · 02/08/2022 20:05

maranella · 02/08/2022 18:02

How exciting! Could it be Fagradalsfjall reawakening or are the earthquakes centred somewhere else?

I don't know where it would be most likely to happen and I don't think the volcanologists do either. They were still speculating about that and whether there even would be an eruption until the last minute in 2021. The earthquakes are all along the peninsula. You can see there is a lot of seismic activity!

en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/earthquakes/reykjanespeninsula/

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RedToothBrush · 02/08/2022 20:11

Saw the alerts on twitter last night, so i am keeping a close eye....

Original poster
Puffinshop · 02/08/2022 20:14

Crowds enjoying the show, April 2021 😁

Likely another Icelandic eruption coming soon
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PangolinPie · 02/08/2022 20:15

Bit of a tangent, but did you watch Katla on Netflix @Puffinshop ? Great drama about a underground volcano on Iceland erupting and the various mysteries it dislodged.

maranella · 02/08/2022 20:29

Well, I shall watch with bated breath, while hoping that any new eruption doesn't happen near where people live.

JenniferAlisonPhilipaSue · 02/08/2022 20:30

I've been to iceland six times. I love it there but keep missing the northern lights and volcanic eruptions! No point booking another holiday to see an eruption that might not happen, and I worry if we wait til there is an eruption, there'll either be no flights or I won't get the time off work!

EhatBow · 03/08/2022 11:18

OP, can you help me with what I need to pack? I'm travelling light and camping near Skogafoss.

I knew it wouldn't be hot summer weather but looking at the weather forecast, it's cold! Does it get colder at night like it does here or do the long days negate that?

Normal hiking trousers T-shirt and waterproof jacket or more layers than that?

Thank you!

Original poster
Puffinshop · 03/08/2022 11:48

EhatBow · 03/08/2022 11:18

OP, can you help me with what I need to pack? I'm travelling light and camping near Skogafoss.

I knew it wouldn't be hot summer weather but looking at the weather forecast, it's cold! Does it get colder at night like it does here or do the long days negate that?

Normal hiking trousers T-shirt and waterproof jacket or more layers than that?

Thank you!

Definitely bring a jumper and a hat and gloves - you won't need them all the time but you will definitely need them occasionally. It's the wind that makes all the difference and Iceland is a very windy country. Waterproof trousers are a good idea. August is really more autumn than summer in Iceland, although there will probably be a few more warm days some time during the month. It does get colder at night. I've never been camping in Iceland but I think people usually take thermal layers to sleep in.

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Original poster
Puffinshop · 03/08/2022 11:49

PangolinPie · 02/08/2022 20:15

Bit of a tangent, but did you watch Katla on Netflix @Puffinshop ? Great drama about a underground volcano on Iceland erupting and the various mysteries it dislodged.

No, I never got round to it somehow! Maybe I'll put it on the 'to watch' list.

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Icecreamclassic · 03/08/2022 11:59

Puffinshop · 03/08/2022 11:48

Definitely bring a jumper and a hat and gloves - you won't need them all the time but you will definitely need them occasionally. It's the wind that makes all the difference and Iceland is a very windy country. Waterproof trousers are a good idea. August is really more autumn than summer in Iceland, although there will probably be a few more warm days some time during the month. It does get colder at night. I've never been camping in Iceland but I think people usually take thermal layers to sleep in.

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Thank you!

Original poster
Puffinshop · 03/08/2022 12:08

JenniferAlisonPhilipaSue · 02/08/2022 20:30

I've been to iceland six times. I love it there but keep missing the northern lights and volcanic eruptions! No point booking another holiday to see an eruption that might not happen, and I worry if we wait til there is an eruption, there'll either be no flights or I won't get the time off work!

I had lived here over a decade before I saw flowing lava with my own eyes, and I know last year's eruption was the first time many Icelanders had ever seen it. My partner saw Eyjafjallajökull, but it was a special trip in a serious 4x4 to get there. Fagradalsfjall was a really rare and special opportunity, because you could get there with a 40 minute drive on normal paved roads and a ≈90 minute hike, so it was really accessible.

The next eruption on Reykjanes, whether it comes this year or not, could be another such opportunity! But no guarantees.

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Original poster
Puffinshop · 03/08/2022 12:10

*40 minute drive from Reykjavík, that is.

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