Alas, Poor Grindavík Volume 2: Lava Invades the Town

It was inevitable, really. Iceland got lucky for the first four eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula, but when volcanoes are rolling dice in populated areas, they eventually get snake eyes and buildings burn. Grindavík had a Christmas reprieve, but the new year isn’t starting off so well.

That’s life on a reawakened volcanic peninsula.

From virtually the moment the 2023 Sundhnúkur eruption ended, we knew the volcano wasn’t done. The ground began rising, signalling intruding magma. I was surprised when Icelandic authorities allowed townspeople to return to Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon reopened for tourists. The Eldvörp–Svartsengi volcanic system was letting everyone know, very clearly, that it wasn’t done with the lava and that it wouldn’t be done for some time. It was just taking a holiday break. But Icelandic folks are made of tough stuff, and the small matter of a restless volcano wasn’t going to keep them from living life as normally as possible. They just kept a wary eye on the thing and carried on.

Things were coming to a head going into the weekend, and authorities had issued an evacuation order for Grindavík come Monday. The volcano couldn’t wait that long. Around 3 am Iceland time, a dramatic increase in seismic activity let everyone know go time was now. Sirens sounds, emergency alerts texted, and people fled just in time. (more…)