Avalanche Tumbles Into Sea Near Ólafsfjörður

2026-03-15 - 10:16

A large avalanche fell from a mountainside in northern Iceland overnight, crossing a road before continuing into the sea, according to local authorities. The slide came down from Ósbrekkufjall above the town of Ólafsfjörður last night. Although the avalanche was described as substantial, it did not threaten nearby homes or populated areas. What's the Story? Avalanche fell from Ósbrekkufjall near Ólafsfjörður, northern Iceland, overnight Slide crossed a road and continued into the sea; no settlement affected Avalanche warnings remain in place across northern Iceland and the Westfjords The Westfjords in Winter. Photo: Art Bicnick. Iceland Review As confirmed by Magni Hreinn Jónsson, an avalanche specialist at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the event occurred in a location where similar incidents had been recorded in the past. Officials say the incident does not significantly change the current risk assessment for northern Iceland, where a period of heightened uncertainty remains because of avalanche conditions. A separate large slide was reported on Saturday from Selskál in Hvennaeyrarhnúkur, near the settlement of Siglufjörður. One rural farm in the area was evacuated as a precaution. According to Jónsson, the latest avalanche was broadly in line with forecasts already issued by authorities. Avalanche warnings also remain in force in the Westfjords. In Ísafjörður, several commercial buildings were evacuated after the events on Saturday, though no new incidents had been recorded on Sunday morning.