The nature of eruptions in Iceland is diverse, from small effusive eruptions where lava flows quietly from fissures and crater rows to significant explosive eruptions in ice-covered central volcanos that produce large ash plumes—literally where fire meets ice.
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The reason for Iceland's intense volcanic activity is the country's geological position, where dynamic geological forces are at work between the spreading plate boundary on the Mid-Atlantic Ocean ridge and a powerful mantle plume creating a hot spot on the surface. Together, they produce large amounts of magma, filling the gaps in the crust made by the spreading plates, resulting in frequent eruptions along the rift zone.

The Reykjanes Eruptions (2021 - )

A new fissure eruption started on the Reykjanes Peninsula by Mt. Stóra-Skógfell on Thursday, February 8th at 6:06 AM. Since early February 9, the eruption has subsided significantly and there has been no visible activity since 8 AM that day. This marks the third eruption in the area since December 2023.

On average, a volcano erupts in Iceland erupts every five years. Since 2021, however, the frequency has been closer to every 12 months. The area broadly known as Fagradalsfjall in Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, some 35km from the capital Reykjavík, flared to life after a series of earthquakes on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The three eruptions - some consider one single eruption with months-long pauses - mark the beginning of a new geological era on the southwestern peninsula, which has been dormant for the past 800 years. 

Unlike most volcanic eruptions - occurring on the interior highlands, the lava hidden under ice and/or with lethal volumes of volcanic gases - Fagradalsfjall was the ideal 'tourist volcano': Small in relative terms and accessible for all levels of fitness. 

The last eruption at Fagradalsfjall ended in August 2023, but the site still remains a major attraction. The thick, black crust of lava paves the landscape with crumbling craters and steam.

Key takeaways

• Air traffic to and from Iceland is operating normally, and Iceland remains a safe destination.
• The eruption's effects are localized at the eruption site with road closures and do not threaten people.  
• All services in Iceland are operating as usual.  

For more information please visit updated websites of Visit Reykjanes (www.visitreykjanes.is/en/volcano-eruption/eruption-information) and Visit Iceland (www.visiticeland.com/eruption/).

Eligible undergraduate students at the University of Southern Maine (USM) Honors Program have the unique opportunity to travel abroad to Iceland delving into timely topics ranging from climate change, sustainability, and resilience to maritime cities and the Blue Economy. This annual, interdisciplinary Summer course, partners with GeoCamp Iceland for the logistics, planning and content development for their trips to Iceland.

Opportunities for discovery

The 2023 class, HON 195: Living Now: writing Iceland & finding hope in a changing climate, explored questions of sustainability, climate change, and hope through writing and photo essay. During the travel class, students met with an Icelandic author, visited researchers at Reykjavik University to learn about their innovative responses to sustainability and climate change, and traveled to remote glaciers and waterfalls. Each student finished the course with a final project that summarized their experience. Click below to view their projects.

• Aidan Foss | The End is Nigh: Live a Little
• Grace McLellan | Rocks and Light: 10 Pictures of Iceland
• Halle Farnsworth | Endurance and Hope: A Letter Home
• Hunter Stonebraker | Looking for the Light: A Journey Overseas to Find Hope
• Lily Bray | Iceland, From Behind the Bus Window
• Makayla Hartsgrove | Curiosity, Innovation, and Hope in Iceland
• Phoebe Elliott | A Narrative Picture Collage of Iceland
• Meagan Ladner | Shreds of Hope
• Trista Hebert | Seeds of Hope in Iceland

For more information please visit the Maine North Atlantic Institute at the University of Southern Maine (https://mnai.org/).

GeoCamp Iceland was one of 62 tourism SMEs in several European countries that received European project grant to support digital transformation process within their companies throught the TOURBIT project. 
 
In February 2023, TOURBIT project launched a call for proposals for tourism SMEs aiming to finance innovative digitisation projects for tourism SMEs located in Belgium, Catalonia (Spain), France, Iceland, Lapland (Finland), Portugal and Slovenia. The call raised a lot of interest from the tourism sector as it received more than 230 applications. 
 
Arnbjörn Ólafsson, Managing Director of GeoCamp Iceland, was invited to speak on behalf of beneficiary SME's at TOURBIT's final conference in Barcelona on 1 March 2024. Specifically he talked about the importance of having a strong digital presence and the journey that each business has been on as part of the Project, focusing on digital trends and opportunities. 

According to Arnbjörn, GeoCamp Iceland's participation in this acceleration programme has had an immediate impact on streamlining operations and enhancing customer engagement.

"The TOURBIT project marked a turning point for GeoCamp Iceland's digital approach, providing practical tools and applications that have turned around our operational efficiency. The transition from traditional planning methods to digital platforms has streamlined our processes, allowing for real-time information updates and enhanced planning capabilities. For GeoCamp Iceland, this digital shift has opened new doors for in B2B marketing."

During the project, GeoCamp Iceland has conducted workshops and developed training materials for the staff, in order to ensure a collective understanding. The emphasis on practical solutions, better aligned with the company's objectives, underscored the project's commitment to providing tangible results.

Gradual Adoption and Sustainable Expansion
 
Getting everyone on board with digital tools is acknowledged as a gradual process, but the positive outcomes from small changes made during the TOURBIT project are steadily gaining traction. As GeoCamp Iceland expands its tour offerings, the data collected through digital tools not only enhances marketing efforts but also guides the delicate balance between growth and maintaining high standards. 

Arnbjörn concludes by stressing the importance of not losing the human touch in a world ever more defined by digitalization. "By implementing CRM tools we look towards imporving customer data management in the future. We hope that our participation in the TOURBIT project can serve as a practical example of how digitalization can pave the way for sustainable expansion without compromising the personal aspect that defines our company."