Lava started to erupt on Reykjanes peninsula early in the morning of 14.January 2024. The new crack opened to the south from the previous short eruption, which happened in December 2023. The new site is much closer to the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated around 4:00UTC today.
Icelandic National Civil Defence Agency together with national air control provider Isavia has published NOTAM regarding the area BIR4, located over the eruption area. It is closed now until 11:59UTC on 17.January 2024. All low flying is restricted in the area, except investigative flights on behalf of the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management.
Update on 17.January 2024: The NOTAM for BIR4 was extended until 22.January 2024.
According to the pictures from the Icelandic Coast Guard, the lava is erupting close to the town of Grindavik, which had already been harmed during the previous earthquakes. To protect the infrastructure in the area, among others the infamous spa-resort Blue Lagoon, protective walls were created on the potential trajectories of lava flow.
As stated previously, Keflavik (ICAO: BIKF) operations are not affected while the eruption is comparatively small and doesn’t create much of ash clouds.
