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

Dramatic footage of a thrill-seeker venturing within feet of a volcanic eruption in Iceland has surfaced despite warnings it spews “life-threatening toxic gas pollution.”

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

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

Residents of the nearby Reykjanes Peninsula have been housebound this week and encouraged to sleep with windows closed and ventilation turned off because of the risk of deadly toxic gas.

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

Dramatic images show the volcano’s shell began erupting Monday after increased seismic activity in the area

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

Seemingly unfazed by the volcano’s precarious nature, he remains perfectly still in an attempt 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 in the dramatic scenery. Meanwhile, he later chooses to sit surrounded by wildfires and lava.

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

The eruption was triggered after a brand new volcanic fissure formed 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. “Police, on the advice of scientists, have decided to restrict access to the site of the eruption due to the massive and life-threatening pollution from toxic gases,” said the civil protection and disaster management department.

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

At one point the adventurer also sat down on the mountain between the forest fires and burning lava

The eruption was triggered after a brand new volcanic fissure formed on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula

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

The Icelandic Meteorological Office has still issued a warning that reads: “Volcanic gas pollution can be expected from the eruption area and smoke from burning vegetation.”

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

Images from the fissure show the hot molten rock bubbling and spewing into the air, while also causing 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 closely monitoring the lava flow and warn that conditions could change quickly.

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

Experts are closely monitoring the lava flow and warn that conditions could change quickly

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

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

The lava could spark wildfires in the area that significantly reduce air quality,” scientists wrote in the statement. ‘New volcanic fissures can open up unnoticed. Lava blocks can fall off the edge of the lava field. New lava can suddenly flow from the edge at high speeds.’

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

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

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

The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed massive 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 travelers and shutting down air traffic for days over concerns the ash could damage jet engines.