Volcano Erupts in Iceland: Rivers of Lava Create Extraordinary Landscapes

A volcano erupted on Fagradalsfjall Mountain in Iceland on 19 March prompting the authorities to issue a flight warning above the area and close the main road connecting the capital region with Keflavik Airport.

The volcanic activity has since subsided and there are no signs another eruption will occur. This is the first time a volcano has erupted on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula in 800 years.

Iceland has more than 30 volcanoes, both extinct and active. The 1784 eruption of Laki Volcano caused a famine that wiped out about a quarter of Iceland's population, while in 2010 the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull resulted in major air traffic disruption across Europe.

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Volcanic eruption in Geldingadalur in Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland 20 March 2021.

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Lava flows from an eruption of a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland on Saturday, 20 March 2021. The eruption of the long-dormant volcano that sent streams of lava flowing across a small valley in Iceland is easing and shouldn't interfere with air travel, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said Saturday.

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A volcanic eruption is seen (rear) near Fagradalsfjall, a mountain on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland 19 March 2021, in this picture obtained from social media.

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Lava flows from a volcano in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland 21 March 2021.

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Lava flows from an eruption of a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland on Saturday, 20 March 2021. The eruption of the long-dormant volcano that sent streams of lava flowing across a small valley in Iceland is easing and shouldn’t interfere with air travel, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said Saturday.

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Lava flows from a volcano in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland 20 March 2021 in this picture obtained from social media.

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In this still image captured from a hand out video, filmed by the Icelandic Coast Guard, lava flows from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano some 50 km west of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, on 19 March 2021.

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Lava flows from a volcano in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland 20 March 2021 in this picture obtained from social media.

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Lava flows from a volcano in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland 20 March 2021.

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Volcanic eruption in Geldingadalur in Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland 20 March 2021.

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Sunday hikers look at the lava flowing from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano some 40 km west of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, on 21 March 2021. - Weekend hikers took the opportunity Sunday to inspect the area where a volcano erupted in Iceland on 19 March some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the capital Reykjavik, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said, as a red cloud lit up the night sky and a no-fly zone was established in the area.