Grindavik

Grindavik town

Grindavík is a town on the southern side of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Population almost 3800. There is a good harbor created by nature, but somewhat dangerous in bad weather. In the vicinity of the town, the continental plates meet, but they move apart by 2-3 cm every year on average. In 2023, there was an exception when the continental plates moved more than 2 meters apart near the town, and then a flurry of eruptions began when lava comes from below and fills the crack. It's been like this for millions of years on and off. Volcanic eruptions have erupted throughout the centuries in the vicinity of Grindavík, and in 2023, after approximately 650 years of pause from volcanic eruptions in the area, lava flowed over 3 houses and large cracks went through the town. Some more than 1 meter wide. As of this writing in Jan 2024, all the residents have left the town while the fissure systems and possible volcanic hazards near or inside the town itself are being checked. It is believed that intense earthquakes will be harbingers of further eruptions so that there will be time to evacuate everyone before an eruption reaches the surface. This situation only applies to the town of Grindavík, other places in Iceland are safe.