IMO reported that the fissure eruption in the W part of the Krýsuvík-Trölladyngja volcanic system, close to Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes Peninsula, continued during 11-18 May. The lava effusion rate was 10.8 meters per second, lower than the 12.9 meters per second rate recorded the week before. Pulsating lava fountains from crater 5, about 7-8 episodes per hour, sent material higher than 300 m. Very high fountains were visible in Reykjavik. Lava continued to flow into the Meradalir Valley; on 17 May video showed sections of the cone’s rim collapsing into the crater. By 18 May the area of the flow field had grown to 2.06 square kilometers, the total volume erupted was 38 million cubic meters. Authorities directed the construction of earthen barriers to prevent lava flowing into the Nátthaga valley and possibly overtaking Highway 427 (Suðurstrandarvegur) to the S, protecting the road and buried fiberoptic cables. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange due to the lack of ash and tephra emissions. Authorities warned of increased gas emissions hazards.

Geological Summary. Although the Fagradalsfjall fissure swarm has previously been considered a split or secondary swarm of the Krýsuvík–Trölladyngja volcanic system, as of September 2022 Icelandic volcanologists managing the Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes made the decision to identify it as a distinct separate system. The recent eruptions and related reports have been reassigned here, and other content will be prepared and adjusted as appropriate.

Sources: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), Institute of Earth Sciences, Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV), National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police (NCIP) Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management