Volcano Watch 2024: Dark Days for Grindavík

The Grapevine was on location in Grindavík January 15, 2024, to report on the latest situation just over 24 hours after an eruption first began just 450 metres north of the town. That initial erupting fissure was followed by another just on the outskirts of town.

Though lava flow from the main fissure that opened just before 8:00 Sunday morning has slowed and flow from the smaller southern fissure appears to have ceased, the Icelandic Meteorological Office maintains that the eruption is not over.

GPS measurements show that land rise continues under Svartsengi, indicating the magma chamber there is filling back up — this is different than the way the land was behaving following the December 18, 2023, eruption at Sundhnúkagígar. Experts are evaluating the data and measurements to determine what that could mean for the immediate future.

The Met Office also says it is clear that the magma tunnel stretches beneath Grindavík.

Three houses were destroyed by encroaching lava that flowed into the town from the southern fissure on Sunday. Lava from the northern fissure also flowed over Grindavíkurvegur and the hot water pipes running from Svartsengi Power Plant into Grindavík. Crews are now working to restore hot water access to the town to avoid further damage to infrastructure as temperatures sit below 0º C.

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