Two years today since the evacuation of Grindavík
Tonight there will be a gathering at Grindavík Church, featuring a concert, to commemorate that two years have passed since the town's evacuation. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson
Today marks two years since the residents of Grindavík were forced to leave their homes when the town was evacuated following a series of earthquakes on November 10, 2023.
To commemorate the day, a gathering will be held in Grindavík Church this evening, followed by a concert at Hljómahöll at 8 p.m., featuring performances by the women’s choir, Grindavíkurdætur , Sigga Beinteins , and Vigdís Hafliða .
No one who lived it will ever forget it
“This is, of course, an emotional day,” says Fannar Jónasson , mayor of Grindavík , in an interview with Morgunblaðið .
“No resident of Grindavík who was in town that day two years ago will ever forget it. It was a tremendous shock — something we had never experienced before.”
Jónasson says the anniversary will be marked in a modest but heartfelt way, and he expects a good turnout both at the church and the concert.
“Whenever the people of Grindav ík get the chance to come together — whether for sports or any other occasion — they show up in great numbers,” he says.
Fannar Jónasson. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson
The local economy is surprisingly strong
Despite everything that has happened, the resilience of the town’s residents stands out, according to the mayor. He emphasizes the strong desire among many to return home and praises the adaptability of those who have had to rebuild their lives elsewhere while maintaining as much normalcy as possible.
“The local economy in Grindav ík is surprisingly strong, given the circumstances. Around 800 people commute to work there on weekdays — including at the Svartsengi geothermal area and the Blue Lagoon,” he adds.
However, uncertainty still lies ahead, the mayor says — particularly due to ongoing land uplift and volcanic activity near the town, and there is no final decision yet about the long-term future of Grindav ík .
“We have not been allowed to move back home without expecting possible evacuations,” says Fannar Jónasson .
“Still, quite a few people have already returned and are considering settling down again.”
