A long-silent faultline beneath Iceland has suddenly stirred, and it’s making its presence known in the most dramatic way possible —spewing lava without much warning. According to experts, this could be just the beginning, with eruptions likely to continue for years.

On Sunday, rivers of molten rock rolled through the town of Grindavík, a fishing port southwest of Reykjavik, swallowing homes in its path. Most of Grindavík’s residents had already been evacuated weeks ago, as scientists had warned that an eruption was imminent. Fortunately, the latest surge of volcanic activity has calmed down for now, according to Icelandic authorities.

Iceland sits right on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a massive crack in the Earth’s crust where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates slowly drift apart. This geological tug-of-war is what fuels the country’s frequent eruptions —and it looks like this particular faultline is back in action after centuries of dormancy.

Iceland’s volcanic comeback tour: Five eruptions and counting

Sunday’s eruption marked the fifth volcanic event in under three years on the Reykjanes Peninsula, a region that had been silent for centuries. “After 800 years of calm and no surface activity, we’re now witnessing a new phase of tectonic movement that could last for years—maybe even decades,” explained volcanologist Patrick Allard from France’s Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris.

Even before the first eruption in March 2021, scientists noticed the ground shifting —a sign that magma was rising from deep below, settling just a few kilometers beneath the surface. As that molten rock pushed its way up through cracks in the Earth, eruptions followed, turning the once-quiet Reykjanes Peninsula into Iceland’s hottest new act.

Can we expect more eruptions in Iceland?

The last two eruptions, which threatened the town of Grindavík, came with little warning —one last month and another on Sunday. Both were short-lived, but their sudden nature suggests the region isn’t done rumbling just yet. “The magma is sitting just beneath the surface, ready to break through at any moment,” explained volcanologist Patrick Allard.

Iceland’s thin crust in this area makes it easier for magma to escape, acting like a weak spot where pressure builds up and eventually finds a way out. The good news? Scientists don’t expect massive explosions of lava —just frequent, smaller releases as the underground system relieves pressure.

The bad news? This fragile faultline isn’t going anywhere, and its location is a growing concern. The nearby Svartsengi geothermal plant, which supplies power and water to 30,000 people —about a tenth of Iceland’s population— sits dangerously close to the action. If the eruptions continue, protecting this critical infrastructure could become a major challenge.

Iceland’s tourism sector at risk

The eruptions haven’t just threatened homes —they’ve also forced the closure of the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s most famous tourist spots, known for its steaming geothermal waters. Bad news for travelers hoping for a relaxing soak, but lava doesn’t exactly take reservations.

Volcanologist Patrick Allard pointed out that Grindavík was built on top of ancient lava flows, saying it “really makes you question why the town was placed there in the first place.” Turns out, history has a way of repeating itself… especially when it comes to volcanoes.

As for when the next eruption will strike? That’s anyone’s guess. The last two eruptions came with barely a few hours’ warning, as the ground trembled just before magma pushed its way to the surface.

There’s also a chance of an underwater eruption, which could get explosive fast by sending volcanic ash into the sky. This kind of event can disrupt air travel, as seen in 2010 when Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökullvolcano shut down European flights for weeks, stranding over 10 million passengers for more than a week.