Iceland grapples with rash of volcanic eruptions

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula has endured a series of volcanic eruptions since 2021 when geological systems dormant for around 800 years became active again.

Experts say the region, just south of the capital Reykjavik and home to 30,000 people, could experience so-called fissure eruptions repeatedly for several centuries.

Here is a timeline of recent eruptions:

March 19, 2021

Lava fountains erupted from a fissure of length 500 metres to 750 meters (547 yards to 820 yards) in the Fagradalsfjall system, where six months of continuing volcanic activity drew thousands of tourists.

More than 40,000 earthquakes on the peninsula in the prior month were a huge jump from an annual figure of 1,000 to 3,000 since 2014.

Aug. 3, 2022

The three-week eruption in the Fagradalsfjall system followed days of earthquake activity, with tourists and residents warned to stay away because of poisonous gases, while a "code red" order halted airplane flights.

July 10, 2023

Lava emitted in the small eruption of the Litli Hrutur volcanic system, some 60 km (37 miles) from the capital, caused gas pollution, though it was far from densely populated areas.

Dec. 18, 2023

An eruption in the Svartsengi system near Grindavik ejected smoke and lava across a wide area after weeks of intense earthquake activity. A crack roughly 4 km (2.5 miles) long in the ground snaked towards Grindavik.

Jan. 14, 2024

The lava flow from the two-day eruption touched the outskirts of Grindavik, home to nearly 4,000, setting ablaze three houses.

Feb. 8, 2024

The eruption lasted roughly a day, with a crack 3 km (2 miles) long spewing lava 80 m (262 ft) high, damaging pipelines, and cutting hot water supplies used to warm homes in freezing winter. The Blue Lagoon spa closed after lava covered a road.

March 16, 2024

The 54-day eruption between the Hagafell and Store-Skogfell peaks was the peninsula's second-longest since 2021. In the same area as the previous eruption, it spewed smoke, molten rock and bright orange lava from a fissure estimated to be 3 km (2 miles) long.

May 29, 2024

The 24-day eruption near Hagafell, which swathed a large area in solidified lava, was the most powerful since the volcanic system became active again three years before. Lava spewed to a height of 50 m (164 feet) with a fissure at least 3.4 km (2.1 miles) long.

Aug. 22, 2024

The 16-day eruption at the Sundhnukar crater spewed glowing hot lava and smoke into the night sky around midnight, with a fissure length of about 3.9 km (2.4 miles), forcing evacuations nearby, though the lava did not head for Grindavik.

Nov. 20, 2024

The midnight eruption at very short notice emerged from a fissure about 3 km (2 miles) in length, but Iceland's meteorological office estimated it to be much smaller than the previous one.

April 1, 2025

The eruption south of the capital was the shortest in the recent series, lasting just over six hours. It broke through protective barriers close to the fishing town of Grindavik, triggering evacuation of residents and visitors at the Blue Lagoon luxury spa.

July 16, 2025

Magma forcing its way through the earth's crust opened a fissure, leading to an eruption the authorities called "relatively small", that did not immediately pose a threat to flights or infrastructure.

(Reporting by Isabelle Yr Carlsson and Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)