Dramatic footage has emerged of thrill-seekers within yards of an erupting volcano in Iceland despite warnings that it is spewing ‘life-threatening toxic gas pollution’.
The volcano, which is located on Mount Fagradalsfjal, began erupting on Monday after increased seismic activity in the area.
Lava poured down the mountainside just 20 miles from the country’s main airport in Keflavik.
Residents of the nearby Reykjavik peninsula have been confined to their homes this week and encouraged to sleep with windows closed and ventilation turned off due to the risk of deadly toxic gas.
But warnings from police and weather forecasters haven’t stopped some from getting dangerously close to the action.
An explorer Emin Yogurtcuoglu, a self-described wildlife expert and photographer, posted stunning footage of himself standing directly in front of the lava on the first night after the eruption.
Dramatic footage has emerged of explorer Emin Yogurtcuoglu (pictured) coming within yards of an erupting volcano in Iceland.
Another photographer was seemingly unfazed by the lava erupting in front of him as he set up a tripod to get the perfect shot.
Dramatic footage shows the scale of the volcano erupting on Monday after heightened seismic activity in the area.
Armed with cameras, tripods and binoculars, the thrill-seeker stands in front of the expansive glowing lava in dramatic footage with his arms outstretched.
The enormity of the volcano is revealed as the camera pans round and shows the hot molten rock snaking around the mountain.
Separate footage shows Mr Yogurtcuoglu taking a video selfie with the volcano – his face lit up in a bright orange reflection from lava and fire fountaining on the mountainside.
The explorer described the moment as a ‘childhood dream’, adding: ‘When I was young, before birds came into my life, I read about volcanoes in books and encyclopedias and dreamed that one day I would visit and see them.
‘The first volcano I saw was a newborn volcano without a name. Just like a child. Like the first breath of the world.’
Another thrill-seeker on a mission to capture footage of the spectacular eruption posted an eight-minute video on YouTube, in an incredible shot showing him face-to-face with the volcano as it violently spewed magma from the ground.
Seemingly unfazed by the volcano’s precarious nature, he remains perfectly still to get the perfect shot from his tripod.
Mr Yogurtcuoglu (pictured pointing to lava and fire) described the moment as a ‘childhood dream’
Mr. Yogurtcuoglu (left) is a thrill-seeker who got up close and personal with the volcano despite warnings of toxic gas.
This photographer captured the amazing sight of fountains of molten lava rock spewing into the air
At one point, the explorer also sat on the mountain amidst the fire and burning lava
A group of thrill-seekers are spotted watching and filming an eruption in Iceland
Playing with fire: Brave cyclists ride just yards from hot lava on Iceland’s mountains
The eruption was triggered by the opening of a new volcanic fissure on Iceland’s Reykjavik peninsula.
More videos show him standing in front of the eruption with his head in awe as he takes in the dramatic scenes. Meanwhile later, he chooses to sit surrounded by wildfire and lava.
The latest eruption is classified as a fissure eruption, which typically does not produce large explosions or significant amounts of ash in the stratosphere, Iceland’s government said in a statement late Monday.
The eruption began after a new volcanic fissure opened on Iceland’s Reykjavik peninsula. This follows intense seismic activity in the area.
Earlier this week, officials warned of toxic gas and urged hikers to avoid the area. ‘Police, after consultation with scientists, decided to restrict access to the site of the eruption due to the massive and lethal toxic gas contamination,’ the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management said.
‘For later [few] After hours, gas formation around the eruption site is more likely due to low winds. Those who have already started traveling to, or are already in, the area of ​​the eruption are strongly advised to leave the area,’ it said on Monday night.
Iceland’s Meteorological Office still has a warning that reads: ‘Smoke from volcanic gas pollution eruption areas and from burning vegetation can be expected.’
Lava erupts and flows downstream after a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Experts are keeping a close eye on the lava flow, warning that conditions could change quickly
People watch the spectacular volcanic eruption at Little Harutur, southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland.
Iceland, which sits atop a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, has an eruption every four to five years on average.
The Met Office said about 300 earthquakes were recorded on the ReykjavÃk peninsula – but most of them were magnitude 2.0 and 2.1.
Footage of the fissure showed hot molten rock bubbling up into the sky, while it also sparked devastating fires.
But the eruption has become less intense in recent days, with fewer small lava jets detected. Seismic activity has also reduced ‘significantly’.
Experts are keeping a close eye on the lava flow, warning that conditions can change quickly.
The lava can cause wildfires in the area that significantly reduce air quality,’ the scientists wrote in the statement. ‘New volcanic fissures can open without notice. Lava blocks can fall from the edge of the lava field. New lava can suddenly flow from the edge at high speeds.’
Despite being near Keflavik Airport, Iceland’s international air traffic hub, the area, widely known as the Fagradalsfjal volcano, has erupted twice in the past two years and caused no damage or disruption to flights.
A 2021 eruption in the same area produced lava flows for months. Millions of people gather to see the wonderful scene.
Iceland, which sits atop a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, has an eruption every four to five years on average.
The most catastrophic in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Ijafjallajokull volcano, which sent a huge cloud of ash into the atmosphere and largely closed airspace over Europe.
More than 100,000 flights were grounded, millions of international passengers were stranded and air travel was halted for days due to concerns that the ash could damage jet engines.