Volcano Watch 2023: A First Look At The New Eruption North Of Grindavík

An eruption began on the Reykjanes peninsula December 18, 2023, at 22:17 in the area between Sýlingarfell and Hagafell, just north of the town of Grindavík and east of the Blue Lagoon and Svartsengi Power Plant.
The eruption is estimated to be 10 times larger than the three previous eruptions in the area and it is estimated that the lava flow was at about 200 cubic meters a second at the beginning of the eruption. Soon after the eruption started, a 4 km long fissure had opened up. The volume of lava flow diminished as the eruption progressed and by the time of our visit on Dec. 19, lava flow had consolidated to five vents along the length of the original fissure, or about one third of the original length. The Reykjavík Grapevine's publisher Jón Trausti Sigurðarson visited the eruption site with videographer Art Bicnick.
The town of Grindavík was evacuated on November 10, 2023, and the area has been closed off to the public ever since so very few people were in the area at the start of the eruption. The area remains closed.
English subtitles can be turned on by clicking the CC (closed captions) button beneath the video.
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Follow The Reykjavík Grapevine for the latest updates on the situation: grapevine.is
Read our July 2023 feature about the current volcanic cycle the Reykjanes peninsula is in: grapevine.is/mag/feature/2023...
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[@debraanderson8893]

Thanks for reporting in the subzero temperatures. I remember you saying your parents had to evacuate from Grindavik. Hope the family are well and everyone is safe.

[@donna6126]

Hummm, This is the Iceland that boasted and bragged about having no Down Syndrome people living among them. After all, the people living there did imply that none shall “ever” be there, since they vowed to get rid of all of them “in utero”. Well…maybe all those human sacrifices done to appease their mythical Norse gods, didn’t work out so well and backfired badly… …cause something looks like it is really pissed! …maybe it being just too proud! … maybe getting rid of all those Down’s Syndrome kids wasn’t such a good idea.

[@Rocketboy-qg6ts]

5:30am on site. That’s commitment! First proper drone shots of the flows also. Well done guys! 😎👍

[@auldfouter8661]

pm - he said the eruption was 20 hours old - that started at 10.17 pm Monday night.

[@gerardacronin334]

He said 5:30 pm.

[@ptournas]

​@@auldfouter8661 Well if you want to be precise, between its starting time at 10:17 PM on December 18th and 5:30 PM on the following day would be 19 hours and 13 minutes. So his estimate was within 47 minutes of the actual time.

[@auldfouter8661]

@@ptournas Yes which is why it wasn't 5.30 am as the opening poster thought! At first when I saw them in the twilight I thought maybe they were there at about 10.30 am as it gets light , but soon the broadcast was being done in darkness so it was clear it was the afternoon. I live at 55.5 deg N and it gets dark here at 4pm ( sunset today was 3.47pm)

[@scrubjay93]

Absolutely it is magnificent and awe-inspiring. Fire and ice, menacing and impersonal and beautiful too. I am sorry for the people of Grindavik who can't be home for Christmas, but there is hope for the town yet. 💙

[@brothersoulshine]

Yay! Been waiting for you guys to release a video

[@rkuzmic]

As soon as I heard it happened, I was looking forward to your reporting on it. Excellent video and thanks for keeping us informed

[@Asae2]

newest info: its over now... :-)

[@maggi3320]

Thank you. Grapevine was how I found out about the eruption!

[@Victoria_rhythms]

Thank you. Please keep bringing us your updates. I enjoy hearing your thoughts and perspectives. It truly is an awe-inspiring event, but also very scary. So glad everyone is safe. Sending love to Iceland from USA.

[@ihearcrickets]

Thanks so much to you guys reporting on the newest eruption! Your coverage has always been the best when it comes to bringing us the latest updates on the eruptions and impacts on the local area. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Hopefully everyone stays safe.

[@prasadrakshe6309]

I want to date to you

[@captainyossarian388]

1:12 Those lava fountains are incredible. Thanks for the update.

[@M124M]

Always trust The Grapevine so I was waiting.Thank you😋😋 Art well done😋😋

[@timothymattson3680]

Watching from Seattle area, really appreciate the human scale and doing your own story telling. I hope the lava doesn’t flow thru town and into the sea which will elevate the danger. Stay safe and Merry Xmas.

[@cartomtroy66]

I loved Iceland!!! Beautiful island! Praying for the residents of Grindavik and all who’ve been affected by this eruption!!

[@mgrycz]

Yay, prayer! xd

[@williambradfordbaldwin4386]

So glad people are fairly safe from this, but it is so FANTASTIC to be able to see the earth being created ,thank you so much! I always wanted to visit Iceland

[@CarolDHarding-fp5eg]

It is a beautiful display of strength for Christmas, a gift from God, to show and prove what he can do in creating wonders for us, as he continues to prove that Earth will obey him, it's creator. !

[@animalmother5287]

​@@CarolDHarding-fp5eg😂😂

[@clairewilson3258]

You seemed uncertain as to whether viewers would be interested in Norse Mythology, but in fact, that has been one of the strengths of the Grapevine - integrating news and science and the unique culture of Iceland. We don't get that perspective from other volcano news outlets. Don't hesitate to put the science and events in context.

[@vronw5782]

Hi Jon thank you for reporting. Art as always thats some amazing drone footage 😊

[@timroot4207]

Thank you for the update ! Please stay safe !

[@WhiteTiger333]

As always, absolutely stunning videography by Art! And I really appreciate the narration to give a perspective as the eruption proceeds. I'm happy to hear that it is settling quickly, although it is obviously still quite large by the standards of the past three. I hope that the lava that was making its way toward Grindavik is part of what is backing off, and that the bulk of the lava continues to flow to the north where it will not harm. Fingers crossed.

[@teemwashamsi1704]

Thanks for your coverage from Somalia😊

[@Orpilorp]

Its beautiful! I hope it will not cause horrible damage. I wonder how it will effect the world's weather in the next few months. When Mt. St. Helen blew in 1980 here in America, we had massive amounts of snow that following winter. I can't imagine a 4 km fissure!

[@radart6037]

No effect, there aren’t any particulates being released into the atmosphere by this eruption

[@Nirrrina]

Thank you for taking us along to see this. Theres no way I'd be able to get out there myself but i do enjoy seeing it. But stay safe. Don't do anything that gets you hurt just for a video. It's not worth it

[@user-fz1kp3dc9m]

Thanks for the reporting! Stay safe!

[@yvonnevandermeer8471]

Thank you for this update. Beautiful pictures with the drone. Stay safe.

[@CatherineLittlepage]

Thank you for your coverage!

[@wendyalexander1893]

The drone shots are beyond AMAZING and provide a completely different perspective. Thank you so much. Will follow.

[@zoyailpatel3608]

Thank you for your update,wishing you guys everything of the best,regards from South Africa,❤❤❤

[@barryward7633]

Thankyou for the news from Iceland, very good, cheers from New Zealand.

[@SkyeRangerNick]

I appreciate your work; and being able to get to the site. There is such a scramble. Thank you.

[@SkyeRangerNick]

Good analogy, the sword and the fire.

[@NonStopTravelVV]

Wow I was just there a few days ago staying in the Konvin hotel in Keflavik and I was walking around on the snow filming for my KZbin channel. I’m glad the ground didn’t open in front of me and spit lava!!!! Crazy!!! Great video and thank you for keeping us up to date!

[@epincion]

Thanks to both of you,

[@TropicPoss]

Thanks so much Jon and Art for this story and your previous stories in the buildup to the eruption - looking forward to continued coverage as it develops and hoping Keflavik and the infrastructure remain safe so we can enjoy the splendour of the eruption.

[@davidnewkirk2438]

Wow that shot at 7:10! So awesome

[@josephastier7421]

1:09 Amazing to see the fissure continuing to propagate as we watch.

[@lisafossett5318]

Exceptional videography by Art, as always! Thank you for your report. Would like to see in daylight (being aware that is limited this time of year) so to get a better grasp of scale.

[@asbisi]

You actually see it much better in the dark.

[@Marilinaa]

Cool. Keep up the great videos. Flott

[@quaver1239]

Wow. Very beautiful and very scary. Thank you for the magnificent photographs.

[@williamjones7163]

Finally, after waiting "all" this time we finally have lava. A half a blink in Earth time. May you all be safe. Have the best Christmas possible giving everything that you have endured.

[@Hankthecat123]

Great reporting! Thank you! 🙏🇺🇲

[@candiceronchese]

So glad I watched to the end the drone footage is incredible!

[@nomigomezmolina2806]

Awesome, watching from Antigua Guatemala and a few clicks from Volcan De Fuego, Agua and Acatenango. We love our Volcanoes, Mother Earth needs to do her venting!! Nomi 💖🙏

[@rikellis7871]

Thanks TRG, no one is giving specific information but you, especially on site!

[@ETRuT1]

Thanks, Jon, and Art for superb camerawork.

[@belalugrisi1614]

Thanks for the update. May the people of Grindavik be safe, and have the least damage possible by these awe inspiring natural events.

[@dana_and_kris]

Good job ! Thanks mate 🖐

[@Always_a_Duelist]

We can feel the rumbles here, occasionally. Sending Love from England.

[@stephiechefy]

Thank you for sharing. It is beautiful and terrifying. Hoping the best for the local population and their infrastructure.

[@4unkb0y]

great reporting & great footage, thanks for being there!

[@livea3596]

Thanks for report. Stay safe

[@nattyw495]

Thank you for reporting this event over the past months its quite interesting im so ever happy that the town wint be extremely impacted hoping things settle and citizens of uceland that were affected and displaced can find normalcy and stability once again..season greetings stay safe..💛🇨🇦🇺🇲💛

[@kentgulliford]

great report. thanx for posting.

[@richard999]

Great to see you guys on the job - the input about Norse mythology and the fiery sword image was very convincing 👍👍👍

[@carlmorgan8452]

Only one GOD and creator of ..... all ❤ ✌

[@zainmudassir2964]

Truly a land of fire and ice

[@Fynbos468]

Art, it seems I can recognize your work anywhere, a few seconds in and I am asking ‘who shot this, is it Art?’ Beautifully filmed as always.

[@chantzabrams1527]

Thanks for the story… i wish you all much safety and hopefully no damage or loss of life.

[@kim-andresandnes5749]

Very professional and gives a realistic view of every part of this critical time that the people is experiencing right now. I like that you fucus on the people and the infrastructure, and like in other vidoes gives us a glimpse of how the community is working together in every levels in the society. Hope this eruption will stop, and not increase. Was sad to see the people that had to evacuate their beloved homes. It’s always exiting to see when the earth is showing of, but don’t forget that this can be devastating for so many. Best of luck 🙏

[@sudotablehead1659]

So candid and real. Very informative. Just great.

[@marymarlow3646]

It’s majestic! Can’t imagine how beautiful it must be to see it live.

[@berglettemom6045]

This eruption is awe-inspiring. Thank you for your report, I’ve been looking forward to it.

[@ivychua4091]

Wow Magical Thanks for sharing with us 🧡

[@asbisi]

Wow, beautiful footage. Where Europe and America meet. Literally and physically.

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

Yes true! Very apt.

[@dirkvillarrealwittich]

New Earth´s crust is being formed right now and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is separating the two tectonic plates, the North-American and the Eurasian plates. Mind the gap!

[@marisoldiaz6237]

Great video!! Thank you for sharing 😊 amazing nature!!

[@susanhighleyman5289]

Thank you for your updates & Awe-inspiring footage!

[@michaeldique]

I'm sure the first vikings to experience an eruption on Iceland thought it was Surt himself coming out of the ground!

[@gwengillotti5171]

Thank you for sharing.

[@pinty56]

what an amazing sight . thank you for reporting its very interesting. stay safe & God bless ❤🙏

[@elizabethtovar3603]

Wow, amazing to see the earth erupting... but, stay safe. I pray no one gets hurt!

[@MS-kf5mo]

Watching from Canada.

[@colinwalker-watson7219]

Keep up the good work, and stay safe.

[@adriancarter825]

May the gods protect you All,, all hail the gods ,logi is striking with his giant sword

[@reginaperrone6902]

Thank you for the information👍

[@TA-un8mv]

It looks great, please more!

[@edbardoe2195]

Great! Keep up the good work!

[@sharonvanrensburg936]

Thank you for this spectacular footage

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

Good luck out there greetz from the Netherlands

[@richardguse3410]

Thank you! This is not the type of video "Like" does not seem appropriate, however, the information is important. Therefore, "Like".

[@davidashe6532]

This night time view from the air is amazing and beautiful. Iceland thje land of fire and ice. Your clip is appreciated.

[@lowellpearson8782]

Thank you .

[@EricRuskoski]

Love the Epic Norse Music, "Here there be Dragons mate!" Thanks

[@josefinematildehansenvonki2384]

It's so crazy to listen to sound of lava😳❤

[@claudiavonkroge3604]

Thanks for the update and especially for the views over that volcano. I miss Valur and Polly. His political talk, he showing us Iceland and what’s going on there.

[@victoriarose3478]

I'm praying that the lava stays away from the towns. Thank you for your informative report 🙏

[@edwelty]

Amazing! Thank you for showing this. Many years ago I hiked on the big island of Hawaii to where lava was flowing into the ocean. It was spectacular but scary because there had been people’s homes there a few years before. I hope the people there can go back to their homes. It must be difficult to not be there during the holidays. Happy holidays to you and the grapevine crew.

[@booksatdawn3047]

Bring back Valur and Polly. I miss them. 😞😞. I mean you are great too. But Valur was someone I watched from day one. But fabulous reporting. The best there is. 🙏🙏

[@NanaOneAZ]

Thank you for the update and especially the info on Norse mythology - fascinating. I live in Arizona, USA. It gets hot here as you know but, thankfully, no fissures spewing molten death.

[@kiireoja9288]

Thank you to Jon and Art for some great viewing!

[@TheReykjavikGrapevine]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@mickgudgeon6402]

Good update, thank you… just missing a Polly!

[@mistermylo8607]

Was searching for an update from your site, Thank you! Geologists and volcanologists can be wrong sometimes too 😙unlike crater or cone eruptions, these fissure eruptions are amazing and just as dangerous . Wow!

[@dickdaley9059]

Art…! 👍

[@Jizzlejazzle0]

Mother Nature at its best and worst ❤️

[@valhoundmom]

Surtr making his presence known 😊

[@margotjansen139]

Hallo weer actief zie ik groet Margot uit Holland

[@lowwastehighmelanin]

Do we know how tall the spouts were at their peak of activity?

[@shiraz1736]

I don’t want to be too harsh, but what is the estimated magma output atm? Is the lava pooling in one centralised location? Has there been any assessment made as to a possible flow and breakout towards Grindavik, and should the whole town be affected? So many question could have been asked to the authorities on site I would have thought.

[@sarahb.6475]

I have been praying for the people of Grindavik. And I feel so bad they lost their homes. I don't know if they will ever get their homes or their town back but hopefully they are all in a safe place. And can I say these Iceland volcanoes are beautiful?? I have always been very scared of volcanoes. No idea why really as there are none around here at all. But seeing the glow against the dark sky at the beginning of the video - its pretty. And the pictures if the glowing flow at the end is so beautiful too! I hope it can just stay pretty and not harm anything. You know, to flow in some safe area without causing any damage. Then one can enjoy the pretty colors at night without worry. Will it form a cone? It doesn't seem to be? I wonder why some form cones and others do not?? 🤔 New volcano: please do not destroy anything and go flow into empty useless areas! One can hope.... 🤞 I will share this video! ❤

[@-108-]

Sad about the town... but, what a gorgeous eruption. Some of this footage has been absolutely beautiful... like the outro shot, por ejemplo.

[@francescathomas3502]

The good news is that this fissure relatively accessible. The road going to the Blue Lagoon and grindavik, and the fact that there are no houses in the immediate area. The bad news is that the southern part of the fissure might eventually expand towards Grindavik....

[@Yosser70]

People throw around the word awesome a lot but this is fits the real meaning of the word. Beautiful and terrifying at the same time

[@chrisbrand5728]

Great coverage. Watching from Burnsville, North Carolina, USA.

[@aaamogusthespiderever2566]

It is quite burning, isn’t it?

[@chrisbrand5728]

@@aaamogusthespiderever2566 The sound of the lava fountains, I am just in awe.

[@robertbanzon8931]

I pray that all lava flow going to the ocean only. God may protect the lives and infrastructures. Save the Blue Lagoon, I have a plan to come back this spring. I love ICELAND.

[@skrame01]

You know what would be really cool to see is time lapse video of the cracks forming in the area. Time lapse cameras are inexpensive, and you could set them up on tripods near where cracks and deformation are occurring and then over time you would be able to see clearly what is happening to the ground.

[@annmartino4225]

I’ve never seen anything like this. Hope all the people near the fissure are safe