by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 1:50 PM ET, Tue December 19, 2023
The volcanic eruption in Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, located around 43 miles outside of the country’s capital of Reykjavik, is slowing down and, according to local officials, poses no threat to either travel plans or people’s lives.
According to Reuters, the volcano, which had been creating tremors since late October, prompted the nearest town of Grindavik to be evacuated on November 10, later spewing lava and smoke over 330 feet in the air on Monday, December 18. The lava is flowing away from the town, and officials say it poses little risk.
Though officials said that seismic activity could last for months, the worst of it seems over. "The eruption does not present a threat to life," said a government statement, as reported by Reuters. "There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open."
Grindavik, which has nearly 4,000 residents, was directly in line with the fissure that opened, prompting the initial evacuation. The fissure was 2.5 miles, or 4 km, long, and its end point was located about 1.8 miles away from town, or 3 km.
The area is where the popular Blue Lagoon tourist spot is located, which is currently closed until further notice due to the eruption. It's a place that has seen plenty of previous eruptions, most notably in 2010, though it also erupted last year.
Though the newest announcement did not deem the region unsafe, gas pollution could still occur in Reykjavik late on Tuesday or on early Wednesday morning.
In late November, TravelPulse covered the eruption’s downgrade to its “Alert Phase,” in which there is less risk to residents and those nearby, though there is still significant seismic activity being recorded, such as small earthquakes.
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