Original announcement · Updated 10 October 2026 at 07:03 UTC
What changed
The Icelandic Met Office updated its specialist remark at 07:03 UTC on Saturday 10 October. It says electrical conductivity in Múlakvísl has remained high over the previous few days, at about 260 microsiemens per centimetre.
The same official update says carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide were measured at Láguhvolar. The Met Office says this indicates geothermal water is entering the river and warns that gas pollution can be dangerous near the river.
An earlier 5 October remark already urged caution. The 10 October update gives visitors a clearer instruction to stay away from the riverbanks.
Who should pay attention
The notice matters most to people planning to stop or spend time near Múlakvísl and the Láguhvolar monitoring area on the South Coast. Múlakvísl lies east of Vík. Anyone travelling through this part of the coast should read the current official remark before approaching the river area.
The 10 October remark does not announce an eruption, a road closure or a new glacial flood. It also does not define a public exclusion zone. Do not infer those conditions from this brief.
What visitors should do next
Stay away from the riverbanks and check the Met Office page again shortly before travel because its live specialist remarks can change. If you are already near the river and feel symptoms that could indicate gas exposure, leave the area.
Check Travel conditions for separately dated weather and road information, and use the official Safetravel and road links below for the latest public guidance. Our Vík guide remains general destination planning and does not replace current safety information.
Why the earlier report is only background
The Met Office published a separate Múlakvísl report on 1 September after an August glacial outburst flood. That older report said the earlier event appeared to be subsiding and that gas pollution was not being detected at the time. The remarks published in October are therefore distinct current observations. Conditions described in any dated notice should not be assumed to persist after its stated check time.
Sources and useful links
Read the current Met Office hydrology remark ↗
Met Office background report dated 1 September ↗
The current hydrology remark was checked on 10 October 2026 at 08:08 UTC. It was written by a Met Office specialist at 07:03 UTC. The remark is presented on a live page and may be replaced by a later update. The photograph is a historical regional view and does not show Múlakvísl, Láguhvolar or current gas pollution.
Use Safetravel, road information and the weather office. This dated brief is not a live warning service.