Home / Editor's Pick /

A volcanologist explains: Here's what's happening in Iceland

13:30
17 November 2023

A volcanologist explains
Here's what's happening in Iceland

We interviewed expert volcanologist Thorvaldur Thordarson to find out exactly why the Icelandic volcano is threatening an imminent eruption.

There is still a threat of a volcanic eruption in Iceland. After cracks and fissures appeared, an entire town was evacuated. Our weather reporter Marco Kaschuba is on the ground reporting on the situation on site.

On Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of the capital Reykjavik, a new volcanic eruption is likely imminent. According to Volcanologists, it is only a matter of days before the eruption begins.

Large cracks appearing on the roads.Drone shots of the geothermal power station, where they are building dikes to protect it from the lava.Large cracks appearing on the roads.Queues for hours as residents try to quickly collect their belongings from Grindavík.
1/4
Large cracks appearing on the roads. - © Weather & Radar

Volcanologist and Professor at the University of Iceland, Thorvaldur Thordarson, explains the situation on site in the video above.

Mandatory evacuations have taken place in recent days in Grindavík, where a magma channel lies directly beneath the populated fishing village. Residents were granted just five minutes each to return to gather personal belongings.

Police officers and locals also comment on the situation in the video above as they briefly return to Grindavík. Only one person from each home is allowed to return to collect essential items such as medicines and passports.

Also in preparation, makeshift defences have been put up around the Svartsengi geothermal power plant.

Despite seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula since slowing down and weakening, an eruption is still looking highly likely. The eruption could occur near the town of Grindavík, or out at sea.

State of emergency in Icelandread more
More on the topic
Image of a field surrounded by trees. All in full leaf as sunlight shines down from the sky.
Thursday 7 August 2025

Daylight decreases

Up to 2 hour shift in sunset for some
Dark sky full of stars. Several shooting stars fly in different directions – typical of a meteor shower.
Thursday 14 August 2025

Photos from across Europe

Night sky in the spotlight
Wind map view of Tropical Storm Dexter in the western Atlantic off the coast of New York.
Tuesday 5 August 2025

Heading for the UK?

Tropical storm in the Atlantic
All weather news
This might also interest you
Temperature radar showing the UK and Ireland. A red thermometer is seen next to southern England where highs in the upper-20s can be seen.
Monday 11 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Beginning of the fourth heatwave
Friday 15 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Split with cooler north, hot south
Two weather maps of the UK and Ireland. On the left, a wind map showing stronger gusts in the west of Scotland. On the right a weather map showing showers across parts of Wales and England.
Thursday 7 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Showery start on another windy day
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement