Iceland Volcano: Thrill Seekers Venture Meters of Bubbling Lava

Dramatic images of thrill-seekers venturing within meters of a volcanic eruption in Iceland have surfaced despite warnings it is spewing “life-threatening toxic gas pollution”.

The volcano, which is located on Mount Fagradalsfjall, erupted on Monday after increased seismic activity in the area.

Lava has been meandering down the side of the mountain that is just 20 miles from the country’s main airport in Keflavik.

Residents of the nearby Reykjanes Peninsula have been confined to their homes this week and are encouraged to sleep with their windows closed and turn off ventilation due to the risk of deadly toxic gases.

But warnings from police and meteorologists haven’t stopped some from getting dangerously close to the action.

One adventurer, Emin Yogurtcuoglu, a self-described wildlife expert and photographer, posted amazing images of himself standing directly in front of lava spewing on the first night after the eruption.

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

Dramatic images show the scale of the volcano that began to erupt on Monday following increased seismic activity in the area.

Equipped with cameras, a tripod and binoculars, the thrill seeker stands in front of the glowing lava with open arms in dramatic footage.

The magnitude of the volcano can be seen when the camera pans around and shows hot molten rock meandering around the mountain.

Separate stills then show Mr. Yogurtcuoglu taking a selfie video with the volcano – his face lit up with the bright orange reflection of lava fountains and forest fires on the mountainside.

The adventurer described the moment as a ‘childhood dream’, adding: ‘When I was a little boy, before birds came into my life, I would read about volcanoes in books and encyclopedias and dream that one day I would see and observe them.

‘The first volcano I saw was an unnamed newborn volcano. Like a baby. Like the world’s first breath.

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

Seemingly unfazed by the precarious nature of the volcano, he remains perfectly still in an attempt to get the perfect shot with his tripod.

Mr. Yogurtcuoglu (pictured pointing to the lava and fires) described the moment as a “childhood dream.”

Mr. Yogurtcuoglu (left) was a thrill seeker who got up close and personal with the volcano despite warnings of toxic gases.

Hooded up, this photographer captures the jaw-dropping scenery as fountains of molten lava rock are spewed into the air.

The adventurer also sat on the mountain at a point between the forest fires and the burning lava.

A group of thrill seekers are seen watching and filming the eruption in Iceland.

Playing with fire: brave cyclists ride just meters from hot lava on the mountain in Iceland

The eruption was triggered after a new volcanic fissure opened on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland.

Another video shows him standing in front of the eruption with his hands on his head in awe as he gazes at the spectacular scenery. Meanwhile, later, he chooses to sit surrounded by wildfires and lava.

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

The eruption was triggered after a new volcanic fissure opened on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland. Intense seismic activity followed in the area.

Earlier this week, officials warned of toxic gases and urged hikers to avoid the area. “The police, after the advice of scientists, have decided to restrict access to the eruption site due to the huge, life-threatening toxic gas contamination,” the civil protection and emergency management department said.

‘For the next [few] hours, it is very likely that gas will accumulate around the eruption site due to the lack of wind. Those who have already undertaken the trek to the eruption site, or are already there, are strongly advised to leave the area,” he said Monday night.

The Icelandic Met Office still has a warning saying: “Volcanic gas contamination can be expected in the area of ​​the eruption and smoke from burning vegetation.”

Lava erupts and flows downhill after a volcano eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula

Experts are closely monitoring the lava flow and warning that conditions could change rapidly.

People watch the extraordinary volcanic eruption at Litli Hrutur, southwest of Reykjavik in Iceland

Iceland, which sits on top of a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, averages one eruption every four to five years.

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

Images of the fissure show hot molten rock bubbling up 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’.

However, experts are keeping a close eye on the lava flow and warn that conditions could change quickly.

The lava can cause forest fires in the area that significantly reduce air quality,” the scientists wrote in the statement. ‘New volcanic fissures can open without warning. Lava blocks can fall from the edge of the lava field. New lava can suddenly flow at high velocities from the rim.

The area, widely known as the Fagradalsfjall volcano, has erupted twice in the last two years without causing damage or disruption to flights, despite being close to 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 on top of a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, averages one eruption every four to five years.

The most disturbing in recent times was the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in 2010, which spewed huge clouds of ash into the atmosphere and caused a widespread closure of airspace in Europe.

More than 100,000 flights were cancelled, stranding millions of international travelers and halting air travel for days over concerns that ash could damage plane engines.