Iceland volcano 2023: Is it safe to travel and is the eruption affecting flights?

A volcano erupted Monday night on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula, weeks after thousands of small earthquakes shook the southwest coast.

The eruption began on December 18 at 22:17 approximately 4 km north of Grindavik.

As the eruption spread, magma, or semi-molten rock, could be seen spewing along the crest of a hill.

The vicinity remains closed and walking in the area is prohibited.

Despite being only 20km north of the eruption site, Keflavik International Airport – Iceland’s main international airport – remains open and flights are still arriving and departing. The road between the airport and Grindavik is closed, however.

Travel in Reykjavik was not disrupted, but the Icelandic Met Office warned that pollution could reach the capital on Wednesday.

If you are planning to travel to or from the affected area, here are full details on advice from European governments and airlines.

How long will the volcano in Iceland erupt?

Although the intensity of the eruption decreased in the early hours of Tuesday morning, according to the Icelandic Met Office, this is not an indication of how long it will last.

“It could be finished in a week, or it could take a little longer,” says scientist Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, who flew over the site Tuesday morning aboard a coast guard search flight.

On the latest surveillance photos, activity is now limited to two craters, but previously there were three, the Iceland Met Office updated on December 20.

Iceland volcano eruption ‘not a tourist attraction’

Icelandic authorities declared a state of emergency in November after hundreds of small earthquakes shook the Reykjanes peninsula – the island nation’s most populous region.

As fears of an eruption grew last month, 4,000 people were evacuated from the area. They were only allowed to return briefly to collect their belongings.

This meant that few people were near the site of the eruption on Monday evening and authorities warned others to stay away.

“This is not a tourist attraction and you should watch it from a great distance,” Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland’s Civil Protection and Emergency Management, told national broadcaster RUV.

The eruptive fissure is about 4 km long, with the northern end east of Stóra-Skógfell and the southern end east of Sundhnúk.

But the spectacular natural phenomenon is difficult for people to resist. “That’s right [like] something out of a movie!” said Robert Donald Forrester III, a tourist from the United States.

For local residents, emotions are mixed. “The town involved could end up under the lava,” said Ael Kermarec, a French tour guide who lives in Iceland. “It’s amazing to see, but it’s kind of a bittersweet feeling at the moment.”

Are the flights to Iceland cancelled?

Despite concerns about the impact eruption will have on the way, near the airport of Keflavik remains operational. Icelandic airport operator ISAVIA advises passengers to monitor flight information here.

Volcanic eruptions can be a serious danger to air travel, as ash released into the atmosphere can cause failure of jet engines, damage to flight control systems and reduce visibility.

But in this case, there is minimal or no ash emission, as indicated by the orange aviation alert raised by the Icelandic authorities.

There were no cancellations or significant delays at Keflavik International Airport due to the eruption. Icelandair says there has been no impact on its flight schedule, and Play says it expects no disruption to its schedule.

Most airlines said they will contact customers directly if this changes. Passengers have been advised to pay close attention to messages from their airline.

Roads from the airport to Grindavik and the Blue Lagoon are closed while the situation is assessed.

A major eruption in Iceland in April 2010 caused widespread disruption to air travel between Europe and North America. The quarter of a billion cubic meters of volcanic ash it ejected into the air led to more than 100,000 flights being canceled over an eight-day period.

Although there had been fears of a repeat, the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted under circumstances that contributed to the immense size of its ash cloud. A glacier on it caused the meltwater to rapidly cool the lava, creating tiny particles that were thrown into the air by the steam produced in the eruption. These were then carried on the wind towards Europe.

The recent eruption it happened under very different circumstances, reducing the chances of similar flight chaos. In the last three years, three eruptions have occurred on the Reykjanes Peninsula with no impact on air travel.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is even better prepared for a large volcanic ash event.

“In case of eruption and development of an ash cloud, the agency will work with other aviation stakeholders to assess the impact for aviation and make recommendations accordingly,” a statement on the website of the ‘EASA from November read.

Is it safe to travel to Iceland?

Several European foreign offices have advised travelers to stay away from Grindavik and respect local restrictions. They direct travelers to the Icelandic Met Office and Travel safely to Iceland for the latest advice.

They said the eruption area is closed until further notice and urged people to respect the closure. However, they do not recommend traveling to the country at all.

Visitors are advised to stay away from the area surrounding the eruption, and to follow the direction and guidance of local authorities.

The country has not issued a “no-go” travel warning for Iceland, meaning airlines and holiday companies are operating as normal and travelers who cancel their bookings do not have an automatic right to a refund.

“For those concerned about travel insurance coverage, and whether canceling a trip is best, we advise travelers to exercise common sense and travel with caution,” says Jonathan Frankham, managing director of the insurance company of travel World Nomads.

“It is important to note that policies purchased after earthquakes and the consequent volcanic eruption become a ‘known event’ are unlikely to be covered, but we recommend that you check your policy wording for precise details.”

Tourists are advised to contact their airline or travel provider for assistance and the latest information.

tea Blue Lagoon geothermal spa – one of Iceland’s biggest tourist attractions – temporarily closed on November 9 after being hit by earthquakes. After briefly reopening on December 16, it is now closed again following the eruption.

“All guests with confirmed reservations in the next few days will be contacted,” an update on their website reads. “We will continue to monitor progress and maintain close communication with the authorities, prioritizing safety and well-being.”

Surrounding spas, hotels and restaurants will also be closed.