Iceland Monitor
Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:03:00 +0000Branson never expected Halla to win the presidency
British billionaire Sir Richard Branson visited Iceland from July 10 to 18, during which he hiked the Laugavegur trail and met with his close friend, Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir.
Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000Strong 5.2 earthquake recorded at Bárðarbunga this morning
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Bárðarbunga shortly before 6 a.m. today.
Tue, 28 Jul 2026 10:18:00 +0000400-meter iceberg drifts unusually close to Iceland
Several large icebergs were spotted during an Icelandic Coast Guard ice reconnaissance flight today, including one located northwest of Húnaflói that is nearly 400 meters high and about 200 meters long.
Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000Scammer targets Icelandic authors with AI-generated messages
A foreign scammer has made Iceland’s community of authors his latest target. Using artificial intelligence, he sends convincing messages praising authors’ work and offering to help promote their books abroad.
Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000Strong earthquake shakes Southwest Iceland
A strong earthquake struck the southwest corner of Iceland just after half past midnight. According to initial data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, it measured magnitude 4.1.
Sun, 26 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000Icelandair adds 31 new pilots to its flight crew
Icelandair has graduated 31 new pilots from its annual training program.
Sat, 25 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000Music, festivals, and summer celebrations across Iceland
A true festival atmosphere will sweep across Iceland this weekend, with music, entertainment, and community celebrations taking place around the country.
Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000400 runners to take part in Kerlingarfjöll Ultra this weekend
The Kerlingarfjöll Ultra will take place tomorrow, marking the third edition of the race. A total of 400 runners will compete in three distances: 12, 22, and 60 kilometers.
Sat, 25 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000Earthquake swarm begins on Reykjanes Ridge
An earthquake swarm began shortly after 5 a.m. this morning on the Reykjanes Ridge, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Eldey.
Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:43:00 +0000Residents invited to security meeting following burglary wave
Residents of Reykjavík, along with representatives from the retail and service sectors, have been invited to a public meeting to discuss safety and security in the city.
Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:00:09 +0000Meteorologist: Haze likely caused by Canadian wildfire smoke
The haze that settled over the Reykjavík capital area on Friday evening was most likely smoke from the ongoing wildfires in Canada, according to meteorologist Einar Sveinbjörnsson of Blika.
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 19:25:31 +0000Tours cancelled as Sólheimajökull conditions become more dangerous
Significant changes at the terminus of Sólheimajökull glacier in recent weeks have made access more difficult and hazardous. Unstable glacier ice around the glacier lagoons and the risk of rockfalls from nearby slopes now pose a danger to visito...
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:32:00 +0000Direct flights between Iceland and China to launch in October
Direct flights between Iceland and China will begin on October 26.
Thu, 23 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000Tourists got lost in dense fog
Police and volunteer rescue teams in South Iceland assisted two tourists who became lost in dense fog on Kristínartindar peaks in Vatnajökull National Park.
Wed, 22 Jul 2026 22:00:00 +0000Paul Watsons ship Bandero returns to Icelandic waters
Bandero, the vessel operated by whale conservation activist Paul Watson, has re-entered Iceland’s exclusive economic zone.
Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:00:00 +0000Baldur Ferry to resume Breiðafjörður route on Friday
The Baldur Ferry is expected to return to its regular route across Breiðafjörður on Friday, according to the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration's schedule.
Wed, 22 Jul 2026 18:11:00 +0000Young couple pulls over after learning they Won $96.5 million ISK lottery jackpot
A young Icelandic couple had to pull over to the side of the road after receiving a phone call that changed their lives.
Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:00:21 +0000Scottish birdwatcher flies to Iceland to see rare Sparrow
A Scottish birdwatcher traveled to Iceland specifically to see the American Tree Sparrow in Kjós today.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:45:00 +0000Lawyer: Ive never seen anything like this
The lawyer representing an Icelandic man in his eighties who was extorted out of approximately ISK 108 million by Icelandic extortionists says he has never encountered a case of this magnitude in Iceland.
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:25:00 +0000France's position remains unclear
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot was noncommittal when asked whether France's position on Iceland's possible accession negotiations with the European Union has changed since 2010 or remains the same. He noted that many years have ...