Iceland volcano: Thrill-seekers venture within yards of bubbling lava

Dramatic footage of a thrill-seeker venturing to within yards of a volcanic eruption in Iceland has emerged despite warnings that it is spewing out ‘life-threatening toxic gas pollution’.

The volcano, which is located on Mount Fagradalsfjall, began erupting on Monday following heightened seismic activity in the area. 

Lava has been snaking its way down the side of the mountain which is just 20 miles from the country’s main airport in Keflavik.

Residents in the nearby Reykjanes peninsula have been confined to their homes this week and encouraged to sleep with their windows closed and to switch off ventilation due to the risk of deadly toxic gas. 

But warnings from the police and weather forecasters have not prevented some from getting close to the action. 

A photographer was seemingly unfazed by the spewing lava in front of him as he set up a tripod to get the perfect shot

Dramatic footage shows the scale of the volcano began erupting on Monday following heightened seismic activity in the area

One thrill-seeker on a mission to capture footage from the sensational eruption has posted an eight minute video on YouTube, with one incredible shot showing him facing the volcano as it violently spews out magma from the ground.

Seemingly unfazed by the precarious nature of the volcano, he remains completely still in a bid to get the perfect shot from his tripod.

Further video shows him standing in front of the eruption with his hands on his head in awe as he takes the dramatic scenery in. Meanwhile later on, he opts to sit down surrounded by wildfires and lava. 

The latest eruption is classified as a fissure eruption, which does not usually result in large explosions or a significant amount of ash in the stratosphere, the Icelandic government said in a statement late on Monday. 

The eruption was triggered after a brand new volcanic fissure opened up on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula. It followed intense seismic activity in the area.

Earlier this week, officials warned of toxic gas and urged hikers to avoid the area.  ‘The police, after counsel from scientists, have decided to restrict access to the eruption site due to enormous and life-threatening toxic gas pollution,’ the department of civil protection and emergency management said.

With his hood up, this photographer takes in the astonishing scenery as fountains of molten lava rock spew into the air

The adventurer also sat down on the mountain at one point among the wildfires and burning lava

The eruption was triggered after a brand new volcanic fissure opened up on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula

‘For the next [few] hours, it is highly likely that gas will build up around the eruption site due to low wind. Those who have already undertaken the hike to the eruption site, or are already there, are strongly advised to leave the area,’ it said on Monday night.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office still has a warning out which reads: ‘Volcanic gas pollution can be expected from the eruption area and smoke from burning vegetation.’ 

The Met Office said that around 300 earthquakes have been recorded on the Reykjanes Peninsula – but most of these were 2.0 and 2.1 in magnitude. 

Footage of the fissure shows the hot molten rock bubbling and spewing into the sky, while it has also caused devastating fires. 

But the eruption has become less intense in recent days, with fewer smaller lava jets detected. Seismic activity has also decreased ‘significantly’.

Experts are however keeping a close eye on the flow of lava, warning that conditions could change quickly.

Lava spurts and flows downhill after the eruption of a volcano in the Reykjanes Peninsula

Experts are keeping a close eye on the flow of lava, warning that conditions could change quickly

People watch the extraordinary volcanic eruption at Litli Hrutur, south-west of Reykjavik in Iceland

Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, averages an eruption every four to five years

The lava can cause wildfires in the area that significantly reduce air quality,’ scientists wrote in the statement. ‘New volcanic fissures can open without notice. Lava blocks can fall from the edge of the lava field. New lava can suddenly flow at high speeds from the edge.’ 

The area, known broadly as Fagradalsfjall volcano, has erupted twice in the last two years without causing damage or disruptions to flights, despite being near Keflavik Airport, Iceland’s international air traffic hub.

A 2021 eruption in the same area produced lava flows for several months. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to see the spectacular sight.

Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, averages an eruption every four to five years.

The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed huge clouds of ash into the atmosphere and led to widespread airspace closures over Europe.

More than 100,000 flights were grounded, stranding millions of international travellers and halting air travel for days because of concerns the ash could damage jet engines.