Holidaymakers heading to Iceland have been warned of “high levels of poisonous gases” following an eruption near the country’s capital Reykjavik. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development has updated its guidance following an eruption in the Litli Hrutur area of Reykjanes on July 10.
The Reykjanes Peninsula has been experiencing intense seismic activity since July 5 with around 2,200 earthquakes recorded in recent days. The FCDO has urged Brits to follow the guidance of local authorities as the eruption has emitted toxic gases.
The Foreign Office said: “The area is dangerous and there are high levels of poisonous gases. Follow the instructions of the authorities at all times.
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“Drivers should not stop on Reykjanesbraut (Route 41 between Reykjavik and Keflavik International Airport) unnecessarily in order to view the eruption. You may be fined by police for doing so.
“Those in the Rekjanes, Reykjavik and Snaefellsness peninsula should monitor the Ambient Air Quality updates on the Icelandic Environment Agency’s website for alerts.”
The area, known broadly as Fagradalsfjall volcano, erupted in 2021 and 2022 without causing damage or disruptions to flights, despite being near Keflavik Airport, Iceland’s international air traffic hub. Keflavik airport remained open on Wednesday.
The FCDO added: “Further volcanic eruptions are possible and there is the potential for sulphur dioxide and other volcanic gases to be emitted during eruptions as well as causing glacial floods. You should monitor alerts from the Icelandic Met Office and monitor the Almannavenir Facebook page and Twitter: @almannavarnir for the latest updates.”
Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, averages an eruption every four to five years. The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which sent huge clouds of ash into the atmosphere and led to widespread airspace closures over Europe.
More than 100,000 flights were grounded, stranding millions of international travellers and halting air travel for days because of concerns the ash could damage jet engines.
