Grindavík
Grindavík (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈkrɪntaˌviːk] ⓘ) is a fishing town in the Southern Peninsula district of Iceland, not far from Þorbjörn, a tuya (a type of flat-topped, steep-sided volcano).
Grindavíkurbær | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
Skyline of Grindavíkurbær | |
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Coat of arms | |
Location of Grindavíkurbær | |
Grindavíkurbær | |
| Coordinates: 63°50′36″N 22°26′10″W | |
| Country | Iceland |
| Region | Southern Peninsula |
| Constituency | Southwest Constituency |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Fannar Jónasson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 425 km2 (164 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | ~3,000 (until 2023) 0 (2024–present) |
| • Density | 6.80/km2 (17.6/sq mi) |
| Postal code(s) | 240 |
| Municipal number | 2300 |
| Website | grindavik |
It is one of the few towns with a harbour on this coast. Most of the inhabitants work in the fishing industry. The Blue Lagoon, Grindavík's premiere attraction, is located 5 kilometres (3 mi) from the town centre.
In November 2023, in the midst of escalating and severe seismic activity, a state of emergency was declared and the town evacuated. On 18 December 2023, at around 22:00 local time (GMT), the Sundhnúkur volcano erupted. The eruption was close to Hagafell, about 3 kilometres (2 mi) northeast of Grindavík. A risk was also posed to Svartsengi Power Station. Fountains of lava, up to 100 metres (330 ft) high, could be seen from Iceland's capital, Reykjavík. Authorities said they were highly prepared. The volcano erupted again on February 8 for the third time since December. The residents of Grindavík had remained evacuated. On February 20, the residents were allowed to return to their homes, but on March 2 Grindavík was again evacuated because of new seismic activity. On March 16 a new, fourth, eruption took place.