“Here We Go Again”: Iceland Volcano Erupts; Authorities Raise Aviation Alert To “Red”

For days, swarms of earthquakes have rattled parts of the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland. We previewed this in a note titled Earthquake Swarm Rattles Iceland As Experts Warn “Eruption Could Occur Within Days.” In fact, days later, AFP News Agency just reported, “Volcano erupts near Iceland’s capital: met office.” 

Volcano erupts near Iceland’s capital: met office pic.twitter.com/UzufsbQX7g

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 10, 2023

The Icelandic Meteorological Office has just raised the aviation code to “red” after the eruption northwest of Litli-Hrutur on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The main airport, Keflavik, is nearby and said there are no flight disruptions. 

“From web-camera imagery, there are visible gas emissions and the beginning of a lava glow,” IMO said. 

Here is unconfirmed footage of the volcanic eruption. 

NOW: Volcano eruption underway on the Reykjanes Peninsula, near Iceland’s capital Reykjavik.pic.twitter.com/5hsBEruCd1

— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) July 10, 2023

A first view of the lava coming out of the new fissure between Keilir and Fagradalsfjall – video by Ingibjörg Björnsdóttir posted on @visir_is (scroll to 17:19) https://t.co/KkhpsVXaOs #iceland #eruption #volcano #reykjanes #icelanderuption pic.twitter.com/xqIhHC1oKu

— Benjamin Hennig (@geoviews) July 10, 2023

Here we go again!

A volcano is erupting for the 3rd year in a row on the Reykjanes Peninsula, near Iceland’s capital Reykjavik. Today marks 323 days since the 2022 eruption ended. The interval between the eruptions of 2021 and 2022 was 319 days… #Fagradalsfjall #Keilir pic.twitter.com/ynBRM4ikN7

— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) July 10, 2023

In 2010, nearly all flights in Europe and across the Atlantic Ocean were halted for a week as ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano sparked one of the most significant air traffic disruptions in peacetime until the Covid virus pandemic in 2020.