19 December 2023 , 11:06
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Volcano thrill-seekers in Iceland have defied all warnings to get dangerously close to erupting lava.
They came close to the crater of the huge volcano Sundhjuka even though molten lava and smoke continued to spout skyward. People were seen in a procession of cars trying to get closer to the eruption and witness the spectacle at first hand.
It started on the Reykjanes peninsula, about 2.4 miles from Grindavik at 10pm on Monday. A number of earthquakes caused evacuations last month as a state of emergency was declared. Astonishing footage last night captured the dark night sky lit by orange molten rock which flew through the air into the morning's early hours.
Thrill-seekers watch the lava eruption against the night sky (AP)Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a scientist, told broadcaster RUV twice as much lava had erupted compared to the month-long summer eruption on the peninsula. He said: "It can be over in a week, or it could take quite a bit longer." The Ministry of the Environment warned those trying to get close to the volcano. A spokesman said: "Think about someone other than yourself and follow the guidelines of the public safety. Please."
Police in Iceland warned it was vital that roads could be accessed. A spokesman said: "An eruption has begun. We ask people not to be in front of the responders and not to go in the direction of the eruption. It is important that roads and other things are as accessible as possible." The police raised their alert level and civil defence asked the public not to go to the area while emergency services assessed the situation.
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Emergency personnel and scientists observe the billowing smoke and flowing lava (HANDOUT/AFP via Getty Images)People, however, continued to defy warnings and were seen standing close to lava coming from cracks in the ground. Robert Donald Forrester III, a tourist from the US said: "It's just something from a movie!" Other Icelandic locals told local media they always travel to eruptions in Reykjanes. One said: "We are trying to see the eruption. Unfortunately, we didn't get any closer. It's a hobby that we've had for four years, attending every single eruption, and we'll continue to do so."
Ael Kermarec, a French tour guide in Iceland, said: "The town involved might end up under the lava. It's amazing to see but, there's kind of a bittersweet feeling at the moment." The amount of lava being emitted from the volcano is 100 to 200 cubic meters per second, according to the Norwegian Meteorological Agency which is "many times more than in previous eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent years."
A helicopter flying near magma near Grindavik on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula (AP)Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, Iceland's president, said: "It is not clear what damage it can cause, but now we rely on our scientists as well as all those who need to do monitoring and other operations. Above all else, we protect human life but we do all the defense of structures to the best of our ability. I send warm greetings to the people of Grindavík and those who now work on the scene.
Reykjavik's international airport has remained open despite the huge eruption and public are being warned to stay away as dangerous “toxic gases” are being released.
An onlooker by the shoreline in Reykjavik watches the volcano eruption near Grindavikk (ANTON BRINK/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)A Government statement warned: “Please be advised that this eruption is releasing considerable toxic gases and people are strongly advised against visiting the site of the eruption while responders and scientists assess the situation. This eruption follows intense seismic activity over the past few days, and is classified as a fissure eruption. Fissure eruptions do not usually result in large explosions or significant production of ash dispersed into the stratosphere.”