Revised risk assessment clears path for Grindavík homes and schools
Tuesday 22nd September 2026 on 18:31 in
Iceland
Initial findings from a revised risk assessment indicate that permanent residence and schooling in Grindavík are acceptable if specified safety conditions are met and necessary measures are in operation, mbl.is reports. The findings could also allow former residents to buy back homes in the town if they choose to do so.
Pétur G. Markan, Grindavík’s mayor, said the findings marked an important turning point for the town. The Icelandic government discussed the assessment on Tuesday.
“We have felt recently that we are taking safe and targeted steps forward, so this is a major milestone for us,” Pétur told mbl.is.
The findings suggest that risks to people staying or working in Grindavík can be kept within levels comparable to those in other communities facing long-term natural hazards, provided the defined safety conditions and measures are in place.
Conditions in Grindavík remain unusual because the threat continues around the clock and throughout the year until the end of the eruptions has been declared.
Assessment to be updated regularly
The government concluded in April that conditions were not yet in place to restart schools in Grindavík or encourage increased residence by children. At that time, there were no clearly defined criteria for acceptable risk to support such decisions.
Since then, work has been carried out on a revised assessment covering daily stays in the town, possible evacuation, schooling, children’s welfare and housing safety.
The basic work on the new assessment has been completed, including a data model, indicators and procedures. It is based on 23 risk indicators and 150 mitigation measures covering safety, housing and schooling.
The assessment is intended to remain active and be reviewed regularly as conditions, knowledge and experience develop. Key safety measures include monitoring, warning systems and evacuation plans.
The findings and the methodology behind them will be presented at a public meeting at Gjáin in Grindavík at 8pm on Tuesday. The next steps will also be discussed, and mbl.is will broadcast the meeting live.