# The Meradalir Eruption – A Timeline

URL: https://jvn.photo/meradalir-eruption-timeline/
Last updated: 2026-09-22

> To celebrate the one year anniversary of the eruption in Meradalir, the second eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano, I decided to create a timeline showing all the events which happened during this eruption just as I did for the Geldingadalir eruption.

To celebrate **the one year anniversary of the eruption in Meradalir**, the second eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano, I decided to create a timeline showing all the events which happened during this eruption just as I did for [the Geldingadalir eruption](https://jvn.photo/geldingadalir-eruption-timeline/). It’s by no means meant as a geological or scientific account of things but more as a visual guideline and memento dedicated to this incredible experience. It’s combined with some of my favourite photographs taken during this eruption. Enjoy![split_line_heading line_reveal_by_space_text_effect=”default” font_style=”h2″ stagger_animation=”true” content_alignment=”center” mobile_content_alignment=”inherit” animation_type=”line-reveal-by-space” link_target=”_self” text_content=”July 30th 2022 – A Powerful Earthquake Swarm Begins” max_width=”85%”][/split_line_heading][divider line_type=”Vertical Line” divider_color=”black” custom_height=”44″]As [the Geldingadalir eruption](https://jvn.photo/geldingadalir-eruption-timeline/) progressed, geologists became convinced that this was just the **first chapter in a lengthy book**. The 2021 eruption and the lead up to it was only the start of a period of 100 to 150 years of increased volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Therefore it was widely assumed that we would see another eruption soon.

In **December 2021**, a new situation developed at Fagradalsfjall. For several weeks it was thought that a new eruption was likely in this area but in the middle of January 2022, all activity died down again.

It wasn’t until **May 2022** when we would see increased activity as a new earthquake swarm kicked off at Eldvörp, which is roughly 20 kilometre west of Fagradalsfjall. Even though there was quite a lot of inflation measured, this activity died down after a few weeks as well.

On **July 30th 2022**, a new **intense earthquake swarm** began with Fagradalsfjall at its center. Dozens of earthquakes larger than magnitude 3 were measured in the area and were widely felt in the area. After only three days Veðurstofa Íslands in Iceland made an official statement saying that a new eruption at Fagradalsfjall was extremely likely in the next few days. The most likely area would be near Geldingadalir, the area of the 2021 eruption.

Source: [Veðurstofa Íslands](https://www.vedur.is)

[divider line_type=”Vertical Line” divider_color=”black” custom_height=”44″][split_line_heading line_reveal_by_space_text_effect=”default” font_style=”h2″ stagger_animation=”true” content_alignment=”center” mobile_content_alignment=”inherit” animation_type=”line-reveal-by-space” link_target=”_self” text_content=”August 3rd 2022 – The Eruption Begins” max_width=”85%”][/split_line_heading][divider line_type=”Vertical Line” divider_color=”black” custom_height=”80″][divider line_type=”Vertical Line” divider_color=”black” custom_height=”80″]Shortly after midday on **August 3rd** the Meradalir eruption kicked off. A 300 metre long fissure opened in the flank of Meradalahnjúkur, a mountain in the Meradalir valley. Very quickly a brand new lava lake appeared, which formed on top of the lava field that was created in [the Geldingadalir eruption of 2021](https://jvn.photo/geldingadalir-eruption-timeline/).

A few days later, on **August 6th**, the activity concentrated itself to the centralmost vents and began building up a spatter cone. Because the lava lake kept rising, the cone didn’t really manage to grow to a massive size as was the case in 2021. Several days later, the activity starts dying down slowly.

On **August 20th** the only visible activity at the crater is gas rising from it. No lava is visibly exiting the crater and activity dropped to a low. After a little over two weeks, the eruption was almost coming to an end.[divider line_type=”Vertical Line” divider_color=”black” custom_height=”44″][split_line_heading line_reveal_by_space_text_effect=”default” font_style=”h2″ stagger_animation=”true” content_alignment=”center” mobile_content_alignment=”inherit” animation_type=”line-reveal-by-space” link_target=”_self” text_content=”August 21st 2022 – The Last Day of the Eruption” max_width=”85%”][/split_line_heading][divider line_type=”Vertical Line” divider_color=”black” custom_height=”44″][split_line_heading line_reveal_by_space_text_effect=”default” font_style=”h2″ stagger_animation=”true” content_alignment=”center” mobile_content_alignment=”inherit” animation_type=”line-reveal-by-space” link_target=”_self” text_content=”November 21st 2022 – The Eruption Is Officially Declared Over” max_width=”85%”][/split_line_heading][divider line_type=”Vertical Line” divider_color=”black” custom_height=”44″]**Exactly three months** after the last visible activity was seen at Meradalir, the eruption was officially declared over.

## New Earth: My Book About the 2021Geldingadalir Eruption

In December 2021, I self-published a book about the eruption in Geldingadalir “**New Earth**” became a uniquely personal, photography- and experience-focused book covering the recent volcanic eruption in Geldingadalir from the first until the last day it was active.

### What People Are Saying About New Earth

“*This has to be the ‘go to’ book on a crazy last 9 months in an even crazier country. The photography is incredible but the words that go with it is where Jeroen has taken it to the next level.*” – Jacob

“*It is excellent how it captures the feelings, moments and thoughts that also I had during the time at the volcano.*” – Glacionaut

“*I kept saying “wow” throughout! A fantastic book for anyone who visited Geldingadalir, wanted to but couldn’t, or anyone with a passion for volcanoes who’d appreciate witnessing the story of this incredible eruption. Magical!*” – Lesley

“*Highly recommended from someone who has had the chance to experience over 15 volcano eruptions and owns 45 books about volcanoes, so I can safely say that I can distinguish the wheat from the chaff.*” – John

## The Fagradalsfjall Fires

Because there have been two eruptions at Fagradalsfjall in such a short time, people have started calling them the Fagradalsfjall Fires (Fagradalsfjallseldar). This **homage to the Fagradalsfjall Fires** is a collection of video footage made during the two eruptions at the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland. This footage has been captured over the course of 7 months during both the Geldingadalir and Meradalir eruptions in 2021 and 2022.