Current updates for photographers planning or travelling in Iceland — volcanic activity, road closures, new conservation rules, drone regulations, and wildlife protection notices. Curated for photographers, not tourists.
Plans have been announced to rebuild a road in the Westfjords region of Iceland, according to recent reports. This development matters for landscape photographers as the Westfjords offer some of Iceland’s most dramatic and remote photographic opportunities, including towering sea cliffs, pristine waterfalls, and rugged coastal landscapes. Road improvements could affect access to shooting locations … Read more
A seal pup has been found stranded on the shore in Akureyri, highlighting important wildlife protection considerations for photographers visiting Iceland’s coastal areas. This incident serves as a crucial reminder for landscape and wildlife photographers about maintaining safe distances from marine mammals. Stranded seals, especially pups, are vulnerable and easily stressed by human presence, which … Read more
Plans have been announced to rebuild a major road in Iceland’s remote Westfjords region, potentially affecting access to some of the country’s most dramatic and isolated photography locations. This development matters significantly for landscape photographers as the Westfjords contains some of Iceland’s most pristine and challenging-to-reach photography destinations, including dramatic cliffs, remote waterfalls, and unique … Read more
The Icelandic Meteorological Office reports that magma accumulation beneath the Svartsengi volcanic system on the Reykjanes Peninsula has now exceeded 25 million cubic metres — the highest volume recorded between eruptions since this eruptive cycle began in November 2023. Ground uplift continues at up to 2 centimetres per month, and the IMO’s hazard assessment, currently … Read more
The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued orange weather alerts for a wide sweep of Iceland, including South Iceland, Southwest Iceland (Faxaflói), Southeast Iceland, the Central Highlands, the Westfjords, Northwest Iceland, and Northeast Iceland. Yellow alerts are in effect across remaining regions, including the Capital Region. A southerly gale or severe gale is expected locally in … Read more
An earthquake swarm that began over the weekend continues across two of Iceland’s most active volcanic zones: the Reykjanes Ridge in the southwest and the Bárðarbunga volcanic system beneath the Vatnajökull glacier in the central highlands. The strongest event recorded on the Reykjanes Ridge measured magnitude 3.0, located approximately 1.8 kilometres northwest of Geirfugladrang off … Read more
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (Veðurstofa Íslands) has a yellow weather warning in effect for most of the country today and into Tuesday, including the Capital Region, South Iceland, Faxaflói, Breiðafjörður, the Westfjords, Northwest Iceland, Southeast Iceland and the Central Highlands. South to southeast winds of 8–15 m/s are expected, with stronger gusts in isolated locations, … Read more
The Icelandic Meteorological Office published a new long-term lava hazard assessment for the Reykjanes Peninsula and the greater capital area on 21 April 2026. The report identifies Grindavík and Hveragerði as sitting within the highest hazard category — the top 10% of areas most exposed to lava flow risk and eruptive fissure probability. Parts of … Read more
The Icelandic Road Administration confirmed this morning that due to thawing conditions, all traffic is currently prohibited on a number of the F-routes in Iceland’s highlands. The notice, issued at 08:41 local time on 22 April 2026, applies across the highland interior and covers the F-road network that provides the only vehicle access to the … Read more
Road 612 (Örlygshafnarvegur), the only vehicle route leading to Látrabjarg in the Westfjords, is currently closed all the way to the cliffs due to mudslides, according to the Icelandic Road Administration’s live traffic bulletin issued this morning. No detour route exists. The closure is in effect as of 22 April 2026 and no reopening date … Read more