Likely another Icelandic eruption coming soon

[Puffinshop]

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!

This group on Facebook is good to follow regarding the activity happening in Iceland.

There is a concern that one of the areas could cut off a road to the airport but they will not know until an eruption occurs what will happen and it could be weeks before one may possibly start if it is to. It's not uncommon for lots of activity to be happening and no eruption to occur.

I think about volcanoes in Iceland but ironically, never think about earthquakes! How big are they generally?
What’s the shakiest it’s gotten for you, OP?
I grew up in California, so the Richter Scale was a way of life!

Yes, last time was about 3 weeks of earthquakes, then a lull and a lot of volcanologists thought that the likelihood of an imminent eruption had gone right down. Then it came and surprised everyone, and not in the place they thought it probably would!

So I am expecting the unexpected!

There will be another eruption on Reykjanes, but nobody knows for sure whether these earthquakes are the direct precursor or whether it will be in a matter of weeks, months or more than a year.

Long term, it seems almost inevitable that roads will be cut off and perhaps towns will have to be evacuated. Looking to the future, I suppose Keflavík may no longer be a suitable location for Iceland's main international airport.

For me in the capital area to feel an earthquake on Reykjanes, it has to be at least over 3 and I usually only notice the 4s and 5s. The most dramatic it gets here is the droning noise from the earth and some noise from drinking glasses vibrating on glass shelves. It makes me jump, nothing more than that. Literally just felt another one while writing this, so I expect that was a 4.

There was one in 2008 that was over 6 in the town where my PIL live and lots of things fell off shelves, furniture fell over etc. I've never experienced a 6 and I moved here in 2011.

I think California is worse for earthquakes than Iceland?

Eruption has started! Same place!

Those of you who have a trip to Iceland coming up, if the trails are opened, don't miss this, seriously! Change your plans if you have to. It's like nothing else on the planet. Last year was one of the best experiences of my life, oh I can't wait to go!

I will certainly aim to. The part of me that knows volcanoes/earthquakes as natural disasters wonders whether it's wise to travel at all! But it sounds like you think it will be fine?

It has just started apparently

grapevine.is/news/2022/08/03/eruption-watch-2022-eruption-in-meradalur-has-started-video/

www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2022/08/03/bein_utsending_fra_reykjanesskaga/

How far is that from the airport OP? Just so I can add a bit of drama when telling the tale 😆

It's very close to the airport, you may well see it from the plane as you approach! The location of the old eruption is marked on Google maps as Fagradalsfjall volcano and this is in the same place. No ash, just lava, so planes will be fine. The only road that could be affected by lava flow from this location is the road that goes along the south of the peninsula, from Grindavík to Þorlákshöfn.

It looks like a re-run of 2021. Most likely, it will be as before and the only thing to worry about when visiting will be the gases and it is best to stay upwind. Although since you cannot safely walk on the 2021 lava, you will not be able to get that close, if I understand the location of the new fissure correctly. Obviously the whole area is closed to the public right now while the experts check it out and assess the situation. But I would be surprised if it's not open in a few days, depending on how things develop.

I'm going to try and take the view that it's exciting, not worrying!

That's the spirit! It is exciting! Think of it like the sea - it's an awe inspiring natural force that could kill you if you don't respect it, but people aren't frightened of the sea. This kind of eruption in this kind of location is not dangerous if you behave sensibly - just be aware of the wind direction and areas where gases could pool.

You might be able to get closer than you think.

Although authorities have said not to go many have went up and sitting metres from fresh lava. Despite the worry over the gasses ATM. Or the predicability as it's coming faster than last year's. It's a little further up than last year's but not to far.

There are photos already up on local sites.

Some of the people there will be press or scientists or SAR. At least some people drove jeeps off road to get to the other side, which is illegal and if I were them I wouldn't be bragging about it online because the fines for off-road driving can be hefty!

I guess you could hike right around? I don't know which way you would go.

Just seen it on BBC Breakfast

I went to Iceland in ~1985 with my parents before it became a weekend destination. We drove all around the island - it was awesome!

Wow - so exciting!

I'm now wondering if I can persuade DH that a trip to Iceland is necessary before the end of the summer holidays, since we missed our holiday due to DS1 having Covid ....

Reykjavik Grapevine newscast

Do it! If your children are old enough. Just be aware that it's not the easiest hike and children are more vulnerable to the gases, so it's not recommended to take younger kids. I wouldn't take mine (5 and 7) mainly because they wouldn't handle it well physically. I think anyone under about 11/12 wouldn't be a great idea, but you are obviously the best judge of whether they'd be up to it.

My kids are 11 and 14 and could definitely manage a hike. The problem will be convincing DH that a trip to Iceland is necessary!

Jeez, that guy in the video is FAR too close! 50m from an erupting crater is not a safe distance.

I was worried about him too. It seemed to be spitting out hot lava to a bit of a distance - you can’t be sure surely how far it will go?

What’s the deal with the gases? Is it long term danger or immediate danger of passing out/ toxicity?

I’m heading to Iceland next Friday but don’t fancy risking toxic gases if we go and have a look!

When you are there it's quite easy to judge a safe distance. You physically cannot get close enough to be burned because the heat coming off is insane, unless you try climbing on fresh lava that appears cool on the surface (do not try this, it can be molten underneath). I don't think they actually are so close to the actual crater/fissure in that video, it's just really big.

With the gases, they are really bad for you and if you walked into a pool of gas you could feel dizzy, then pass out and then die if not rescued. It's ideal to pick a windy day when the wind direction is away from where you plan to stand. On windy days the gas won't pool. On still days you must be extra careful of getting too low down. Always stay uphill anyway so that any break through flow will not come quick towards you.

Long term I am sure it is not healthy to breathe in the gases either - we get warnings when they are blown into towns. But it's easy to avoid if you are sensible.

It's a 3 hour hike one way at the moment, partially on last year's path and then over rough terrain. So you have to be physically up to it and properly dressed/equipped. Technically it is not recommended to go yet, but people are.