New Tours Show Spectacular Volcanic Activity in Iceland

After observing continuous earthquakes for months in the vicinity of glaciers Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull in southern Iceland, it came as no surprise when a volcanic eruption began on March 21st in Fimmvorduhals, a pass between the two glaciers. The mountain pass is a popular hiking site during the summer months. Iceland is a geologically young land and its location astride the Mid Atlantic Ridge and on the Iceland Hotspot means that it is highly geologically active and has many volcanoes. Eruptions occur on average every five years and also we have several eruptions beneath ice caps, which can generate glacial bursts, most recently in 1996. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American Plates are moving apart, is partly responsible for this intense volcanic activity, along with Iceland being a hot spot, which means volcanism due to a rising mantle plume. The fissure 0,5 km long on the northern part of the pass. Due to a strong gale in the vicinity of the eruption it has not been easy to view it, but Reykjavik Excursions has set up evening tours for those who want to experience a once-in-a-lifetime sight.