The Salt House

From Restaurant to Geology Lesson

Most locals knew about Stamphólsgjá, an old crack in the earth that had been mostly filled with loose rock over the years. Children played nearby, and families walked past it daily without a second thought. Then November 10, 2023 happened, and this harmless feature became a terrifying symbol of Earth’s hidden power. Large parts of Grindavík now sit between two major areas where the ground has sunk significantly, caught between the powerful forces reshaping Iceland.

When Pressure Builds

Think of Earth’s crust like ice on a frozen pond. When pressure builds underneath, the surface cracks. But instead of water, molten rock tries to push through. The Reykjanes Peninsula sits where two continental plates meet, spreading apart at 1.9 centimeters per year. That might sound slow, but pressure builds over decades, then releases suddenly in massive earthquake swarms.

The Day Everything Changed

November 10, 2023, started like any other day. Then, around 3 PM, a powerful earthquake swarm struck Grindavík. This wasn’t just any earthquake. Beneath the town, a sheet of molten rock was forcing its way through solid ground, creating what geologists call a “dyke.” This vertical intrusion stretched 15 kilometers long and up to 4 meters wide, forming in just six hours.

The ground above began to shift and sink dramatically. Old cracks like Stamphólsgjá tore wide open, and new fissures appeared throughout the town. Many houses now stand directly on or dangerously near these reopened wounds in the earth.

Salt Houses’ Final Chapter

Once, The Salt House, or Salthúsið as it is known to the locals, was a lively restaurant where families gathered for meals and celebrations. Today, the building sits directly over Stamphólsgjá, and when the ancient fissure reawakened, it has returned as part of Grindavík’s reality — a living classroom in geology.

Explore Grindavik

Begin at the defensive barriers and be in awe. Walk the streets where dark lava streams meet residential fences. Eat fresh fish by the harbor. Meet resilient locals continuing their businesses.