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
Photo shows flooded street in Pakistan.
Wednesday 17 September 2025

Risk of epidemics

Pakistan suffers from monsoon
Flooded road with cars in the water. Next to it, a weather map with a warning symbol. Heavy rain causes regional flooding.
Tuesday 9 September 2025

Towns flooded

Heavy rain hits Europe
Weather map showing forecast temperatures for England and Wales on Wednesday 17 September and Friday 19 September. On Wednesday, most areas range between 17°C and 21°C, while by Friday temperatures rise, with London and Norwich reaching 24°C and many regions showing 21°C. The colour shading shifts from lighter to darker orange, indicating a general warming trend.
Wednesday 17 September 2025

Warm end to the week

Late summer interlude
All weather news
This might also interest you
Weather map showing a split in north-south conditions of the UK. Scotland sees widespread cloud cover while England and Wales have clear skies.
Friday 15 August 2025

Clouds on the move

North-south split in conditions
Weather map of the UK and Ireland showing scattered showers with cloudy patches across much of the region, especially around western and northern areas. Sunshine symbols appear over London, Cardiff, and parts of southern England, while temperatures range from 17°C to 18°C in most places. Areas of heavier rain are visible over the Atlantic to the west.
Friday 29 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Unsettled conditions into the weekend
Friday 22 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny start for some, overcast later
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement