Volcano Reykjanes (Svartsengi)
After some 800 years of quiet, the Svartsengi system behind the Blue Lagoon has erupted again and again along the Sundhnúkur crater row since December 2023. A magma intrusion in November 2023 cracked the town of Grindavík apart and forced all 3,700 residents to leave; lava later burned houses on its edge, while earthen barriers saved the Svartsengi power plant.
Last eruption
Erupted since 2000
Summit
Crater rows · Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Activity
0 events (1.0x rate)
Interactive Volcano & Seismicity Map
Seismicity within 50 km radius, active VAAC ash plumes, and tectonic plate boundaries.
Recent seismicity within 50 km
160 events in the last 12 h within 25 km of the crater.
| Time | Magnitude | Epicenter / Place | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1mo ago | M2.9 | Off the coast of Keflavík (48 km SW, Iceland) | 29 km |
| 1mo ago | M3.0 | Off the coast of Keflavík (48 km SW, Iceland) | 31 km |
| 1mo ago | M3.4 | Off the coast of Keflavík (48 km SW, Iceland) | 30 km |
| 1mo ago | M3.3 | 22 km S of Reykjavík (Iceland) | 46 km |
| 1mo ago | M3.4 | Off the coast of Keflavík (52 km SW, Iceland) | 33 km |
| 1mo ago | M2.9 | Off the coast of Keflavík (52 km SW, Iceland) | 33 km |
| 1mo ago | M3.0 | Off the coast of Keflavík (50 km SW, Iceland) | 31 km |
| 2mo ago | M3.8 | Off the coast of Keflavík (57 km SW, Iceland) | 37 km |
| 2mo ago | M2.8 | Off the coast of Keflavík (59 km SW, Iceland) | 38 km |
| 2mo ago | M3.4 | Off the coast of Keflavík (55 km SW, Iceland) | 35 km |
| 2mo ago | M3.0 | Off the coast of Keflavík (54 km SW, Iceland) | 34 km |
| 2mo ago | M4.2 | Off the coast of Keflavík (58 km SW, Iceland) | 39 km |
| 2mo ago | M2.9 | Off the coast of Keflavík (54 km SW, Iceland) | 34 km |
| 2mo ago | M4.4 | Off the coast of Keflavík (51 km SW, Iceland) | 35 km |
| 2mo ago | M2.8 | Off the coast of Keflavík (56 km SW, Iceland) | 37 km |
| 2mo ago | M2.9 | Near Keflavík (Iceland) | 11 km |
Geological & Tectonic Profile
Crater rowsReykjanes (Svartsengi) is an active Crater rows formed in an active Rift zone / Oceanic crust (< 15 km). Dominant lithology: Basalt / Picro-Basalt.
Volcano Dossier
VN #371020Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.
Authoritative Monitoring Infrastructure
Iceland Rift Zone & Reykjanes
Explore live seismic monitoring, historical danger benchmarks, fault slip models and recurrence intervals for Iceland Rift Zone & Reykjanes.
Open Regional HubFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Verified scientific, operational, and emergency protocols
Catalogue: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program.Smithsonian GVP profile