PALIN MITENK BLOG

By Wil Longbottom

Dramatic: The orange glow of lava and ash is visible from miles around above the Icelandic glaciers as Fimmvörðuháls volcano erupts


These spectacular images show Mother Nature at its most raw as a volcano erupts under a cold night sky.

The eerie glow of lava is visible from miles as seismic activity along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge causes a powerful eruption.

Hundreds of tourists have flocked to the Fimmvörðuháls volcano in Iceland after months of small earthquakes caused lava to spurt out of a fissure a third of a mile long.

The eruption, which began under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, caused nearly 600 people to be evacuated from their homes amid fears the seismic activity would trigger more volcanos to erupt.

Geologists had been predicted an eruption for weeks after hundreds of small earthquakes in the region.

But the actual site, one of Iceland's most popular hiking trails, was in the Fimmvörðuháls area - 80 miles east of Reykjavik - which has had no volcanic activity for 10,000 years.


Tourist attraction: Hundreds of visitors flocked to the site, in southern Iceland, to catch a glimpse as the lava poured out


Blowing off steam: Visitors get as close as they can to the lava flow, left, and stop to watch a plume of ash and gas as it emerges from the volcano. Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from the area after the eruption in an area which was unused to volcanic activity


When eruptions take place near the Eyjafjallajokull glacier, they normally trigger further seismic activity at the Katla volcano. The last eruption was 189 years ago.

Katla is underneath the Myrdalsjokull glacier and a large eruption would likely cause massive flooding.

The vast majority of evacuees have now been allowed to return home and roads have been reopened in the vicinity, although residents of 14 farms are still considered at risk and have been ordered to stay away.

The frequency and intensity of earthquakes in the area have also reduced as a result of a release of pressure caused by the eruption on March 20. Geologists are monitoring the situation, but the danger level appears to have receded.

Attracted by the spectacular scenery, the Fimmvörðuháls eruption has turned into a boon for the island's struggling economy after hundreds of visitors risked their lives to catch a glimpse of lava flow.

Icelandic search and rescue workers warned tourists to be wary of poisonous gases emanating from the crater of the volcano. Sulphur, fluorine, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide were found after the eruption, many of which can be deadly.

source: dailymail