UPDATES: 
On the 10th of July 2023, a new volcanic eruption  started near Litli Hrútur mountain in the Fagradalsfjall area, after a few days of  many earthquakes in the area. The eruption lasted until the 8th of August and is no longer active.
Fagradalsfjall is the site of volcanic eruptions in three areas, Geldingadalur,  Meradalur, and Litli-Hrútur on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula.  These volcanic eruptions have been the area&#8217;s first in 800 years.
The Fagradalsfjall eruption began on 19 March 2021, after nearly 40.000 earthquakes originated from this area in a one month period. Within 24 hours of the eruption, thousands of locals flocked to the site to catch a glimpse of the molten hot lava spewing from the ground. It was an unbeatable photo opportunity! The eruption was ongoing for 6 months straight. It has created a dramatic new lava field that visitors can view fairly easily.
On the 3rd of August, 2022 a new eruption began in the Meradalur valley in the Fagradals area. The eruption lasted a short while and ended on the 24th of August.
Almost one year later, on the 10th of July 2023,  a new eruption began near Litli Hrútur mountain near both the Fagradalsfjall area and Mt. Keilir.  The eruption lasted until the 8th of August 2023.
<h2>What do the names of all these volcanoes mean?</h2>
The name &#8220;Fagradalsfjall&#8221; means &#8220;The Mountain of the Beautiful Valley.&#8221;  The name &#8220;Geldingadalir&#8221; means &#8220;The Valley of the Castrated Animals.&#8221; The name probably refers to castrated male sheep, or wethers.  In olden times, sheep milk was more popular in Iceland than it now is. Farmers would milk ewes during the summer to make cheese. Every spring, farmers separated the ewes and lambs from the wethers and turned all the sheep out to pasture. They kept the ewes and lambs in an area where they could catch and milk the ewes.  The wethers stayed in a more remote valley where they could roam free and graze through the summer. Farmers called this mountainous valley &#8220;Geldingadalur&#8221; (The Wethers&#8217; Valley).
In contrast, the name &#8220;Meradalur&#8221; means &#8220;The Valley of the Mares,&#8221; meaning this valley might have been where herds of mares and horses too young to be trained were turned loose to graze in the highlands for the summer. Every October, the area farmers would round up the horses and bring them back to the farm for the winter.
&#8220;Litli Hrútur&#8221; means &#8220;Little Ram.&#8221;  There is also a larger mountain nearby named &#8220;Stori-Hrútur&#8221; (Large Ram). The names probably indicate this area was one of the few on Reykjanes Peninsula with plenty of grass for grazing sheep.  Ironically, this same grass created a challenge when the lava sparked wildfires on the grass. Diligent firefighters have succesfuly been extinguishing the fires.
<h2>What kind of volcano is Fagradalsfjall?</h2>
Fagradalsfjall is a tuya volcano, a type of subglacial volcano that forms when lava erupts through a thick glacier or ice sheet. Tuyas are a rare and primitive volcano type. They typically exist only only in regions where glaciers and active volcanoes occurred in the same period.
<h2>What is the status of the Fagradalsfjall volcano?</h2>
The Meradalur eruption that started on the 3rd of August 2022 was confirmed over on the 24th of August 2022.  The 2023 Litli Hrutur eruption that started on the 10th of July  was confirmed over on the 8th of August 2023.
<h2>How to visit the volcanic eruption?</h2>
May 2024 &#8211; Currently, only one hiking trail is open, and parking area P1 is open. The trail is considered challenging (difficult), and hikers should be experienced in rocky hiking conditions with elevation. You can find more information at the <a href="https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/volcano-eruption/eruption-information/hiking-and-parking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit Reykjanes website</a>. The <a href="https://safetravel.is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Safetravel</a> website posts important updates with weather and trail conditions. This website also includes a list of what to wear and bring for the hike.  Please note children younger than 12 years old are not allowed to visit the eruption site.
You can also join guided tours that visit Reykjanes peninsula and hike to a viewing area over the Fagradals eruption site. We recommend these since you&#8217;ll get fantastic information about volcanoes from the guides, and the guides are familiar with the trail conditions. The hiking level is moderate. Please note you need to be in good physical condition to join these tours. You can also take sightseeing flights to view the volcanic sites from above.
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Note: While visitors are  arriving by the thousands, many for their second and third time, the area isn’t entirely safe. Iceland’s volunteer search and rescue team (ICE-SAR) has been working tirelessly to protect visitors in the area. That’s why it’s important to be prepared and follow the official health and safety guidelines which can be found at <a href="https://safetravel.is/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Safetravel.is</a>.

Fagradalsfjall (Geldingadalur, Litli Hrútur & Meradalur) Eruption Site

Safety & Responsibility

Check the weather forecast and road conditions every day.

Weather can be unpredictable

Put litter in the bin and recycle when possible.

Help keep Iceland clean

Follow the Icelandic road rules, and remember that off-roading is strictly forbidden as it damages natural landscapes.

Safe roads, safe people

Keep to marked trails and read any warning and safety signs. If in doubt, use common sense or turn back.

Fagradalsfjall (Geldingadalur, Litli Hrútur & Meradalur) Eruption Site

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