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Gunnuhver á Reykjanesi er stærsti leirhver Íslands, síkvikur og öskrandi með gufustrókum og bullandi leir. Hann dregur nafn sitt af draugnum Gunnu, sem sagan segir að hafi verið rekin þar niður í hverinn fyrir aldir. Í dag er Gunnuhver einstakt náttúruundur þar sem menn finna mátt jarðar blása beint upp á yfirborðið.

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Eldey er hrjúf klöpp suðvestur af Reykjanesi, 77 metra há og umlukin úthafinu. Hún hýsir eina stærstu súlubyggð heims og er jafnframt sögustaður síðasta geirfuglsins.

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Fagradalsfjall er virkt eldfjall nálægt Suðurstrandarvegi, skammt frá Grindavík. Fjallið varð heimsfrægt eftir gosin 2021–2023 og sýnir vel hvernig hraun myndast og landslag mótast. Svæðið er vinsælt hjá göngufólki og ferðamönnum sem vilja upplifa eldvirkni Reykjanesskagans.

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Fagradalsfjall in Iceland erupted in 2021 - revealing its deep roots

The restrained Icelandic volcano Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes peninsula stepped into the spotlight on the evening of March 19, 2021, when an eruptive fissure opened in the Geldingadalir valleys.

It had been quiet for over six thousand years and is the first active volcano in the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark area for 800 years.

Some frequently asked questions are:Did it come as a surprise, or did scientists see any precursors? When did the eruption start and how long did it last? Why was it called a tourist eruption? Is it possible to come and see the eruption site? What are the latest developments of the Fagradalsfjall volcano?

Here we try to answer those questions and discuss the geological history and characteristics of the Faradalsfjall eruption and the likelihood of continuation of events in the near future.

Three weeks of shaking

Three weeks prior to the volcanic outbreak, an intense earthquake episode began on the Reykjanes peninsula near Fagradalsfjall mountain. It started with an M5,7 earthquake that stirred people in large parts of Iceland.

In the following three weeks, we had more than 40.000 earthquakes. However, most of them were small and unnoticed, but several were large enough to leave people in the neighboring town Grindavík and the Reykjavík capital area sleepless. One of them was the musician Eliza Newman , and as expected, she wrote a song about it Fagradalsfjall (you're so pretty) , just as she did when the notorious volcano Eyjafjallajökull erupted in 2010.

Waiting with anticipation

Our most experienced geoscientists from the University of Iceland and the Icelandic Met Office interpreted geophysical data from seismometers, GPS stations, and satellites. They concluded that a rapid crustal uplift produced the earthquakes.

Furthermore, it was clear to them that a magma dike intrusion was the cause. During the three weeks of shaking, the dike was steadily propagating at both ends, and the magma intruded further up in the crust.

The question everyone was asking was: Will it erupt?

As the dike grew, anticipation increased, but it was impossible to predict whether the 8 km long dike would manage to touch the surface and end in an outbreak or by freezing in the crust as most basalt magma intrusions do.

It's Oh So Quiet - And so peaceful until

The earthquakes finally stopped, and everything was quiet for three days. But on a Friday evening, at 20:45 on March 19, 2021, people in Grindavík town and elsewhere on the Reykjanes peninsula reported a glowing light in the sky. No eruption tremor was detected, so the only way to confirm if an eruption had started was to have a look.

Later in the evening, scientists onboard a Coast guard helicopter confirmed that an eruptive fissure had opened in Geldingadalir valleys. However, they described it as a tiny eruption, far from populated areas, and not expected to threaten people or properties.

A typical "tourist" eruption

The eruption has been described as a "tourist eruption," a term commonly used by Icelanders for minor eruptions that can easily be accessed. Of course, the usual thing to do when a volcano erupts is to get as far away as possible. But in Iceland, the "usual" response is the opposite. So Icelanders started flocking to the eruption site to look at the spectacular show nature was offering.

The eruption site turned out to be pretty safe with the proper precautions of avoiding the hot lava and gas. The Icelandic voluntary search and rescue teams also immediately showed up to ensure safety at the site, and their valuable work continues while the eruption is ongoing.

So how big is the "tiny" eruption?

The fissure that first opened was estimated to be 180 m (600 ft) long. The lava flow was soon concentrated in two craters that erupted continuously. There was no explosive activity producing ash plumes, as happened in the Eyjafjallajökull 2010 eruption, causing a shutdown in air traffic over Europe. In this case, the eruption turned out to be an effusive fissure eruption, producing a steady outflow of basaltic lava of about 6 m3 and releasing volcanic gases.

After a few weeks, new fissures formed and new vents started to open while others became inactive. At one point, six craters were erupting simultaneously.

The three faces of Fagradalsfjall

The eruption changed phases regularly for most of the time it has was ongoing. The activity was characterized by periods of (1) pulsating activity with fire fountains, (2) steady outflow of lava, and (3) quiet periods where no activity was seen on the surface or the tremor graphs.

The timespan of each phase varied from hours to days. It is unclear what was happening in the quiet periods; if the eruption was paused or continued below the surface in lava tunnels, but the former is thought to be more likely. Now there has been a pause since September 18, 2021 and the eruption has been officially declared finished by authorities.

Updated figures and maps

The Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland regularly updated data from the monitoring of the Fagradalsfjall eruption . On September 18, after six months of eruptive activity, the volcanic activity was concentrated in one large crater with a periodic outflow of lava of about 10-12 m3/s. But the day after it paused and has been in a quiet phase since but continues some emission of volcanic gasses.

The eruption built up a small lava shield that covers 4,85 km2 and the volume is estimated to be about 0,15 km3. *

The Icelandic Institute of Natural History has created a 3D map of the Fagradalsfjall area .
* Numbers from October 1, 2021
Latest developments - Will an eruption break out again?

The eruption paused on its six-month anniversary on September 18, 2021, but 9 days later, on September 27, a new earthquake episode began at the northern end of the magma dike that formed in February-March, about 5 km north of Fagradalsfjall.

Most scientists believed that the magma was trying to find a new way out since the former feeding vent collapsed. Geophysical data indicated that a new magma dyke formed beside the old one, but this time didn't manage to reach the surface and the episode ended after three weeks.

The area is still thought to be active and magma may be accumulating at depths without being detected, so it will be exciting to see if and when the next dyke starts to form and if we will witness another outbreak in the area in the near future.

Visiting the volcano

If you are interested in coming to Iceland to visit the volcano, you might want to stay for a few days to improve your chances of good weather and visibility.

Even though the volcano is quiet, the magnificent crater and the freshly made lava formations are a spectacular sight on their own and a popular destination. Below you can find links to articles on preparation and how to get there.

And even though you miss this one, one of Iceland's other active volcanoes and volcanic systems that show signs of unrest, is likely to erupt within the following couple of years.

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Fagradalsfjall in Iceland is erupting- revealing its deep roots

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On the 19th of March 2021, after three weeks of shaking from over 40 thousand earthquakes, an eruption began in the Icelandic volcano Fagradalsfjall. It had been dormant for over six thousand years, and it had been 800 years since the last eruption occurred on the Reykjanes peninsula.

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Brimketill er lítil náttúruleg klöppalaug við sjávarsíðuna vestan Grindavíkur. Hún hefur myndast í hrauninu þar sem brim og hafaldan hafa sorfið bergið í aldir. Á góðum degi má sjá hvernig öldurnar skella í kringum ketilinn og mynda stórbrotið sjónarspil.

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Keilir er einkennilegt keilulaga eldfjall á Reykjanesi, vestan við Suðurstrandarveg. Fjallið er áberandi kennileiti í landslaginu og vinsælt hjá göngufólki vegna útsýnisins yfir Reykjanesskagann og fjörur hans.

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Festarfjall er klettótt eldfjall á Reykjanesi, nálægt Grindavík. Fjallið er hluti af eldvirku svæðinu á skaganum og býður upp á víðáttumikið útsýni yfir hraunbreiður og hafið. Svæðið er vinsælt hjá göngufólki og náttúruunnendum.

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Hafnarberg er stórbrotið klettabelti suðvestur af Hafnafjörðunum í Hfnum. Þar má sjá háa sjávarhamra úr dökku hrauni, mótaða af eldi og sjó. Svæðið er vinsælt til göngu og fuglaskoðunar, þar sem margir sjófuglar verpa í klettunum.

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Seltún Geothermal Area, Reykjanes peninsula

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Seltún Geothermal Area, Reykjanes peninsula

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Seltún Geothermal Area, Reykjanes peninsula

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Seltún í Krýsuvík er litríkt jarðhitasvæði með leirhverum, goshverum og gufustrókum sem mynda litadýrð í gulum, rauðum og grænum jarðlögum. Svæðið sýnir glöggt hvernig jarðhiti mótar landið, og er vinsælt bæði til göngu og fyrir náttúrufræðilega sýn á eldfjalla- og jarðhitastarfsemi Reykjanesskaga.

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Seltún Geothermal Area, Reykjanes peninsula

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Brúin milli heimsálfa á Reykjanesi er táknræn göngubrú sem tengir saman Evrasíu- og Norður-Ameríku flekana. Hún liggur yfir mjúkan gjáhrygg og gerir gestum kleift að ganga bókstaflega milli heimsálfa á örfáum skrefum. Brúin er vinsæll áfangastaður þar sem jarðfræði og táknrænt landslag renna saman í einstaka upplifun.

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Sundhnúkur á Reykjanesskaga er hluti af gígaröð sem hefur gosið ítrekað frá 2023. Þar hafa opnast sprungur með hraunflæði og gufustrókum, sem hafa stundum ógnað Grindavík og Bláa lóninu. Svæðið sýnir glöggt kraft jarðar og er eitt helsta dæmi nýju Reykjaneseldanna.

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Krýsuvíkurberg er eitt stærsta fuglabjarg Íslands, þar sem háir klettar rísa beint úr hafinu suðaustur á Reykjanesskaga. Þar verpa tugþúsundir sjófugla á sumrin og mynda ótrúlegt sjónarspil í lofti og á klettunum. Útsýnið frá berginu er stórbrotið, með úthafið breiðandi út í allar áttir og brimöldurnar sem brotna af krafti við fjallsrætur.

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Þorbjörn er klettótt eldfjall vestan við Grindavík, skammt frá höfninni. Fjallið er hluti af Reykjaneseldstöðvakerfinu og býður upp á frábært útsýni yfir Reykjanesið og suðurströndina. Þar má einnig sjá hraunbreiður og merktar gönguleiðir fyrir þá sem vilja kanna eldri eldstöðvar svæðisins.

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Kleifarvatn er stærsta stöðuvatn Reykjanesskagans, staðsett á Reykjanesfólkvangi. Vatnið liggur í jarðhitasvæði og umhverfið einkennist af hraunum, gígum og fjalllendi. Svæðið er vinsælt fyrir göngur, fuglaskoðun og náttúruskoðun.

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Helgafell er lítið keilulaga eldfjall skammt frá Grindavík á Reykjanesi. Fjallið er vinsælt meðal göngufólks og býður upp á útsýni yfir hraunbreiður, hafið og nærliggjandi fjöll.

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Hengill er eldfjall og virkt jarðhitasvæði suður af Þingvöllum. Fjallið einkennist af hraunbreiðum, hverasvæðum og djúpum gljúfrum. Hengill er vinsæll meðal göngufólks og náttúruunnenda og býður upp á fjölbreytt útsýni yfir Hengilssvæðið og nágrenni.

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Bláa lónið í Grindavík er eitt þekktasta náttúruundur Íslands, umkringt svartri hraunbreiðu. Heita, mjólkurbláa vatnið kemur úr djúpum jarðar og er ríkt af steinefnum sem þekkt eru fyrir slakandi og nærandi áhrif á húð og líkama. Þar sameinast hrá kraftur eldfjallalandslags og kyrrð vellíðunar í einstökri upplifun.

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Svörtu sandöldurnar við Þorlákshöfn eru víðáttumikil sandfjöll úr fínkorna hraunsandi sem vindur hefur mótað. Þær skapa óvenjulegt, svart landslag við sjóinn og eru vinsælt svæði til gönguferða, ljósmyndunar og að upplifa hráa náttúru Reykjanesskaga.

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2025 Black Beach ATV - QUAD Tour (Thorlakshofn) - with Trusted Reviews

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Enjoy riding an ATV / QUAD for 1 hour on the Black Beach in South Iceland just by the Thorlakshofn town.

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Viðisandur, eða Black Beach, er svört sandströnd við Suðurstrandarveg í Selvogi. Ströndin einkennist af gjóskusandi og hraunklöppum, og býður upp á dramatískt útsýni yfir Atlantshafið og Reykjanesskagann. Svæðið er vinsælt hjá göngufólki og ljósmyndurum.

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Þríhnúkagígur er einstakt eldfjall við Hafnarfjörð þar sem hægt er að ganga niður í gjána sjálfa. Þetta eldfjall er eitt af fáum í heiminum sem býður upp á slíka upplifun og sýnir vel innri byggingu eldstöðvarinnar.

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Thrihnukagigur Volcano in Iceland, Thrihnukar

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Þríhnúkar is a safely dormant volcano that has erupted three times. The last eruption, which took place about 4,500 years ago, left behind a unique natural phenomena: Þríhnúkagígur “Three peak crater”. It is truly one of a kind and the only accessible lava chamber on Earth. Inside, the beautiful coloration and unique rock formations represent all the shades and shapes of the earth where its size is enormous and to some extent intimidating.

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Lava Seacliffs við Þorlákshöfn eru háir hraunklettar sem rís úr sjónum, sýnishorn af krafti eldfjalla. Nesbraut liggur meðfram ströndinni og býður víðsýnt útsýni, en Þorlákshöfn er hafnar- og fiskibær í opnu eldfjallalandslagi Reykjanesskaga.

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Lambafellsgjá er djúp gjá í hraunbreiðunni við Lambafell á Reykjanesi. Gjáin sýnir glögglega sprungukerfi svæðisins og eldstöðvavirkni skagans, og svæðið er vinsælt meðal göngufólks og náttúruunnenda.

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An open fissure in an oval hyaloclastite mount named Lambafell. The fissure is only few metres deep. It is possible to hick along the entire fissure on the summer time. In the walls of the fissure are excellent outcrops of subglacially formed basaltic pillows.

Location: The walk takes about 1 hour. Take road to Höskuldarvöllur and then drive down to Trölladyngja. Park at the parking at Eldborg and walk east of Eldborg to Lambafell.

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An open fissure in an oval hyaloclastite mount named Lambafell. The fissure is only few metres deep. It is possible to hick along the entire fissure on the summer time. In the walls of the fissure are excellent outcrops of subglacially formed basaltic pillows. Location: The walk takes about 1 hour.

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Vífilsfell er lítið eldfjall skammt frá Hafnarfirði á Reykjanesi. Fjallið er vinsælt hjá göngufólki og býður upp á útsýni yfir nærliggjandi hraunbreiður, fjöll og Hafnarfjörð.

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Hrafnagjá er djúp gjá á Reykjanesi sem sýnir sprungukerfi svæðisins. Gjáin er umkringd hrauni og klettum og býður upp á fallegt útsýni og tækifæri til að skoða jarðfræði svæðisins.

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The normal fault and tension fracture, Hrafnagjá, is the longest of its kind at the Reykjanes peninsula. It is 12 km long and up to 30 m high. The set of fractures east of Vogar village forms a typical rift valley.

Location: Hrafnagjá is visible from Reykjanesbraut (road nr. 41) to Keflavík International Airport. A hikingtrail leads to the location from the parking place by the intersection of the town Vogar.

Hrafnagjá is a geosite in the Reykjanes Unesco Global Geopark.

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The normal fault and tension fracture, Hrafnagjá, is the longest of its kind at the Reykjanes peninsula. It is 12 km long and up to 30 m high. The set of fractures east of Vogar village forms a typical rift valley. Location: Hrafnagjá is visible from Reykjanesbraut (road nr.

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Garðskagi í Garðinum er ysti tangi Reykjanesskaga, þar sem úfið úthaf og rólegur Faxaflói mætast. Þar standa tveir vitarnir, gamli rauðhvítur og nýr hvítur, sem hafa lengi verið leiðarljós sjómanna. Svæðið er þekkt fyrir stórbrotið fuglalíf, fegurð sólarsetra og víðáttumikið útsýni yfir haf og fjöll.