Original announcement · 1 November 2026 at 11:43 Iceland time
What changed
The Icelandic Met Office says the monitoring system above the eastern part of Svínafellsjökull has detected renewed movement since 23 September. It is the clearest movement measured there since continuous monitoring began in autumn 2018.
Measurements from GPS stations and extensometers show about one to three centimetres of deformation. The Met Office and the University of Iceland consider this evidence that the slope has begun moving again. Monitoring has been increased and a field visit is planned when conditions allow.
The current assessment is important
The official assessment says the movement is slow and does not by itself indicate an imminent rock avalanche. Experts have not called for a special response beyond closer monitoring, analysis and follow up. That conclusion was reached with civil protection and South Iceland Police.
The same announcement also says the future trend is uncertain. Movement could increase, remain similar or subside. The hazard assessment may be reviewed as new measurements are analysed, so a dated article should not replace the latest official notice.
The signal appears local
No displacement was detected at other GPS stations on or near Öræfajökull. The Met Office says this strongly suggests that the measured movement is local to Svínafellsheiði, with no sign of a connection to changes in the volcano.
A fracture system about 1.7 kilometres long crosses the mountainside. The 2025 hazard assessment says the most likely rock avalanche scenario would stop on the glacier without reaching the lagoon or threatening populated areas. A very large event reaching the glacier margin and lagoon cannot be ruled out, which is why the area is monitored.
What visitors should do next
The Met Office notice does not announce a public closure, and Safetravel displayed no alert when checked on 2 November. Neither point guarantees that every path, viewpoint or road is open. Access decisions belong to the relevant land manager and can change independently of the slope assessment.
Before travelling near Svínafellsjökull or Skaftafell, read the latest Met Office update, check Safetravel, and review Vatnajökull National Park notices. Follow any barrier or local instruction you encounter.
Our Skaftafell guide provides general destination context. Use Travel conditions for separately checked road and weather information. This news article is a dated explanation, not a real time warning service.
Sources and useful links
Read the Icelandic Met Office announcement ↗
Read the Vísir report by Bjarki Sigurðsson ↗
Check current Safetravel alerts ↗
Check Vatnajökull National Park news ↗
The Met Office announcement was published on 1 November 2026, with its landslide watch entry timestamped 11:43 Iceland time. The complete official English announcement and the complete Vísir report published on 2 November at 07:33 were checked on 2 November at 08:32. Safetravel showed no alert at that check. Conditions, access and the assessment can change after publication.
Use Safetravel, road information and the weather office. This dated brief is not a live warning service.