Environment

Iceland Volcanic Activity Draws Visitors: Volcano Webcam

by Jordan Yerman | March 25, 2010 at 09:06 am

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Iceland Volcanic Activity Continues as Tourists Try to Get Closer

Iceland's volcanos are still active, and locals are starting to hike out to the glaciers for a closer look at the eruption. Eyjafjallajökull itself is in a no-access zone, but can still be seen from the surrounding peaks. Indeed, you can watch the eruptions live via the Iceland volcano webcam.

Gas and steam continue to jet upwards as the volcanos, and locals and tourists alike are angling for a better view of the historic volcanic activity. Hikers are ascending Fimmvörðuháls, which is closed to motor traffic. ICE-SAR, the Icelandic search-and-rescue operation, warns that, should you hike up for a better view of the volcano, you do so at your own risk.

If driving, you can get as far as Skógar, and then you'll be hiking.

ICE-SAR volcano-viewing guidelines

The volcanic eruption is visible from the air, and local tour operations are starting to offer helicopter flights for volcano-viewing.

“It’s facing us here from Fljótshlíd. The fire columns reach high into the sky and we see a red glow. Right now I can see four fire columns and the traffic here on the countryside road is heavy. I find it amazing that I can watch it out through my kitchen window,” farmer Jens Jóhannsson at Teigur in Fljótshlíd told Morgunbladid last night.

The Fljotshlid/Fljotsdalur road has been hastily repaired in places to allow easier access for people hoping to see the volcano.

Local police warn, however, that the inner Fljotsdalur road and the Tindfjoll, Thorsmork and Hamragardaheidi roads are all closed for safety reasons.