As you may have heard, the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland began a continuous eruption last week after several days of increased seismic activity. If you remember the Eyjafjallajokull eruption of 2010 that led to the cancellation of thousands of flights across Europe, you may wonder if you will have to cancel travel plans to the area. However, this eruption has not yet met the conditions to warrant any such concern. Although there are some risks to be aware of if you are traveling within Iceland, travel to other areas of Europe is not expected to be affected.
Can I Safely Travel to Iceland?
According to Nordic Visitor, it is safe to visit Iceland. Iceland’s main highway, the Ring Road, is open and as of yet unaffected. Keflavík Airport is about 10 miles from the eruption and there have been no ash clouds to cause flight delays, nor do they expect there to be, and the capital city of Reykjavík is even further from danger.
That said, if you are planning to visit the area, there is still the threat of earthquakes. The seismic activity that led up to the eruption is expected to continue, with the largest such quake recorded at a magnitude of 5.4. There have been no casualties reported at this time, and tourism to the country is still being encouraged.
Can I Visit the Volcano?
Unfortunately for those trying to get a glimpse of the active lava flow, the government is advising people to stay away. Although this is a fissure eruption, meaning there is little risk of any massive explosions at the site, there is still danger from flowing lava. The New York Times has reported that three tourists were injured trying to catch a glimpse of the eruption, all three suffering burns. The trek to the site takes as long as five hours, making medical assistance difficult to access.
If you want to get a glimpse of the eruption in real time from the comfort of your own home, you are in luck. Skyline Webcams has a livestream of the eruption available 24/7.
