Major tourist sites closed as Iceland volcano erupts
After weeks of intense seismic activity, a volcano has erupted in southwest Iceland, just one day after the area reopened to tourists.
The eruption is just a few kilometres from Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon wellness complex and hotels. It had partially reopened on Sunday, despite ongoing volcanic activity in the local area: the decision to reopen was made “in close collaboration with the authorities”, it said on its website at the time.
The Blue Lagoon is now closed. Its website advises: “we have temporarily closed our facilities in Svartsengi. All guests with confirmed bookings in the upcoming days will be contacted.”
A hotel near the eruption site has advised its guests to keep their windows closed against smoke from the fissure, traveller Jake Turner said on X this morning. “I’m in Iceland now, the hotel called each room and said keep the windows closed because the volcano’s erupted.”
According to the website of Keflavik Airport, six flights due to depart this morning – including the 6.50am to Stansted – have been delayed until after midday. However, the Icelandic government states that the delays are not caused by the eruption, and other scheduled flights are departing as planned.
“There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland, and international flight corridors remain open,” the Icelandic government said in a statement this morning.
Online flight tracker flightradar24.com shows planes have been arriving and departing without interruption at Keflavík International Airport, which is 10 miles to the north-west of the eruption.
Icelandic police say they have raised their alert level as a result of the eruption, but there is currently no threat to life as the lava is flowing away from Grindavik, its closest settlement.
Here’s what you need to know if you are booked to travel to Iceland – and your rights if you choose to cancel your trip.
How long will the Iceland volcano risk last?
“There has been some discussion, led by the IMO, about this eruption being part of an uptick in activity that could see decades of increased activity,” says Matthew Watson, Professor of Volcanoes and Climate at the University of Bristol.
“The evidence for this is the fact that there have been multiple eruptions along the same series of fissures in the peninsula in the last few years, and before that an 800 year gap.”
This eruption could be the start of months of activity, cautions Professor Watson: “looking at previous eruptions in the region, a single outburst typically lasts weeks to months: this is true of the three most recent eruptions on the peninsula, for example. Some eruptions in Iceland can last longer.”
Last month, residents of nearby town Grindavík were evacuated by Iceland’s Civil Protection Agency amid cautions of a “river of magma”, noxious gases and “fire fountains” in the area.
The Reykjanes peninsula is a key tourism area of Iceland, home to Keflavik Airport, the nation’s busiest air hub, which is connected to Britain by easyJet, British Airways and other major airlines.
Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is located around 50km from the volcanic system.
Will the Iceland volcano affect flights, like during the Eyjafjallajokull ash cloud?
The billowing ash cloud of Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused global travel disruption in spring 2010, amid worries that the particles and debris could damage aircraft engines. Commercial flights across Europe were halted for almost a week – leaving 50,000 flights grounded, and an estimated 10 million travellers stranded.
The disruption lasted for almost a week, causing the highest level of air travel disruption since the Second World War. Could this new wave of seismic activity lead to similar chaos?
No, because the activity is occurring beneath solid ground, not under a glacier, says Paavo Nikkola, Research Scientist at the Geological Survey of Finland GTK.
“A volcanic ash cloud like in 2010 is not possible now,” Nikkola told Finnish broadcast organisation Yle. “Back then, the ash was generated by a large explosive eruption beneath a glacier.”
The region has experienced several eruptions in recent years, none of which affected flights, advises a spokesperson from PLAY, a low-cost airline headquartered at Keflavik International Airport. “Iceland is no stranger to volcanic activity, with three eruptions having taken place on the Reykjanes Peninsula in the last two years and no disruption to flights. It has some of the most advanced volcanic preparedness systems in the world to safeguard the public and is well prepared for every eventuality.
“The current seismic activity localised on the Reykjanes Peninsula is being continuously monitored by the Icelandic Meteorological Office, The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, and a team of scientists from the University of Iceland for any changes.”
Are flights to Iceland being cancelled?
“There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open,” Iceland’s government said in a statement this morning.
Online flight tracker flightradar24.com shows aircraft have been arriving and departing without interruption at Keflavík International Airport, which is 10 miles to the north-west of the eruption, however some early-morning departures have been delayed until after midday.
The likes of Icelandair, easyJet and British Airways connect Keflavik, the nation’s major airline hub, with Britain – and it is a key stopover hub for transatlantic flights. It is the gateway to Reykjavik, the nation’s capital 50 minutes’ drive away.
“I don‘t think [the eruption] will have a huge effect on air traffic,” Thor Thordarson, professor in volcanology and petrology at the University of Iceland, told Bloomberg last night. “But potentially this will have a serious and significant impact on local communities and infrastructure including the town of Grindavik, the Blue Lagoon and Svartsengi power plant.”
Over recent weeks, airlines have told Telegraph Travel that they are “monitoring the situation closely”. Last week, a spokesperson for easyJet advised: “our flying schedule is currently operating as normal however we are monitoring the situation closely and should this change we will contact customers directly to advise on their flights.”
A British Airways spokesperson advised: “Our flights are operating as planned and we continue to monitor the situation closely. We will be in touch with customers directly should the situation change.”
Icelandair, the national airline, has advised it is unable to comment on the situation.
PLAY Airlines has also confirmed that it will contact customers whose flights may be affected. An airline spokesperson added: “[PLAY] is continuously monitoring the situation with the Icelandic government and Meteorological Office and will provide timely updates via email and text with any significant developments that may affect flights.
Is it safe to visit Iceland?
The FCDO is not currently warning against travel to Iceland. Those heading to the region should “monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area,” it advises.
Travellers should “check for alerts and advice from the: Icelandic Met Office, Safe Travel Iceland, Almannavarnadeild Facebook page and Twitter (@almannavarnir).”
I’m in Iceland now – can I come home early?
That depends on your airline or tour operator. The FCDO is not currently warning against travel to, or around, Iceland, so your transport provider is not compelled to curtail your trip, nor offer a refund if you choose to head home early. As above, you should monitor the situation via the IMO’s official channels.
If you do change your travel plans, it is likely that you will have to pay for the privilege – though if you have a flexible ticket, the charge may be waived. Speak to your airline or tour operator directly, before you take any decisive action.
Should I cancel my holiday to Iceland?
Unless the FCDO changes its advice to warn against travel to Iceland, or the area to which you are headed, it is likely that your holiday will proceed as planned.
If you choose to cancel your holiday, it is highly unlikely that you will be covered by travel insurance.
Iceland holidays are currently going ahead as normal, says Georgina Hancock, Marketing Director of regional specialist Discover the World. “To date we have had to rearrange a few of our clients’ itineraries who were set to visit the Reykjanes area including the Blue Lagoon. They are all still travelling but will just be visiting other areas in south Iceland.”
An easyJet holidays spokesperson said: “Our holidays are currently going ahead as planned, however we are continuing to very closely monitor the situation and, should anything change, we will be in touch with our customers directly.”
Will I be covered by travel insurance if I visit Iceland?
Yes, as long as the FCDO does not warn against travel to Iceland. If you are concerned, speak to your provider directly – and ensure that you keep the “emergency” phone number to-hand while abroad, in case the situation intensifies.
Where is the Blue Lagoon – and is it safe to visit?
The Blue Lagoon wellness complex is currently closed to visitors.
The seismic activity is focused in the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system of the Reykjanes peninsula, in south-west Iceland. Svartsengi, where the Blue Lagoon is located, has experienced extensive earthquakes and land rise in recent weeks.
“Magma flows under Svartsengi and land there continues to rise. What we’re looking at now is a new chapter,” Víðir Reynisson, head of Iceland’s Civil Protection and Emergency Management, told local media last weekend.
The Blue Lagoon geothermal pool, Blue Cafe, Lava Restaurant, Retreat Spa, Spa Restaurant and the on-site Blue Lagoon Skincare store resumed trading just one day before Monday night’s eruption, on Sunday, December 17.
The wellness complex in Svartsengi, near Keflavik Airport, had been closed since November 9 due to seismic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula.
