Likely another Icelandic eruption coming soon

[Puffinshop]

To all those who enjoyed watching and maybe visiting the volcano last year - the earthquakes have started again (been woken up with the bed shaking for the past 3 nights), very similar to what we experienced in the run up to the 2021 eruption at Fagradalsfjall. It's quite likely that lava will break the surface somewhere on the Reykjanes peninsula some time not too long from now.

If anyone missed the last volcano and really wanted to see it, this autumn would be a strong bet for a volcano watching trip to Iceland.

No guarantees of course, and if it does happen it might not be so easily accessible, but watch this space!

They have posted how to get there now with safety advice. They don't recommend taking children or pets near it yet.

Thanks for all the info @Puffinshop

The earliest we could go is last weekend in October but I worry it will all be over by then. Also a bit worried about the hike and what to wear. DH is desparate to photograph a volcano though (he's really into photography).

There is no guarantee when it will stop erupting but it could go for months or years.

The 2021 eruption started in march and stopped in September.

I think this one is less accessible than the last, and people have already been injured on the trek.

Yes, twisted ankles and so forth. Always a risk when hiking over rough terrain.

It's certainly a little further from the road, but in terms of the terrain - part of the way is rough now but the 2021 paths didn't exist before 2021. If the eruption continues the paths will be improved and it's also incredible the impact that thousands of feet going the same route can have. The difference between the beginnings of a trail in March 2021 and the path that was there by April 2021 was amazing. So it will get easier anyway if the eruption continues.

If you went to the east up on the ridge and along to Stóri Hrútur you could walk on established trails and I think you'd get a good view from a distance, weather permitting. You wouldn't get close though.

The live cams are a bit disappointing at the moment; you can't see a thing because the weather is so wet and foggy.

Not fair!!!

We're going to attempt the expedition tomorrow. I will report back if there is anything future volcano spotters should know (though I suppose there is shedloads of info available by now anyway!).

Successful volcano trip completed! We were about 90 minutes each way, so 3 hours in all. We had heard it was 3 hours each way so were pleasantly surprised. We walk quite fast, though - it is about 7 km each way, a few steep slopes.

The first part is easy. There is the steep hill from last year but the path is quality now so it's not difficult. Then you hike over Fagradalsfjall itself. They are building a path over but there is no path yet. It is easily passable but lots of rocks and easy to stumble so you have to watch your step. Not exactly easy hiking, though it's not anything extreme. It is also a lovely route, straight past the old craters and the old lava fields. You get a fantastic sense of how everything developed.

When you make it to the volcano, at this time it is perfect. The crater faces towards a steep slope that everyone can sit on and you have a full view of everything.

Something I learnt last year though is that erupting volcanoes change a lot and change fast! Wait a week and it is a completely different experience.

So cool!

People of every nationality, come together to enjoy this incredible spectacle. It's an amazing atmosphere.

You are so lucky to have this opportunity. Great photo too.

Amazing @Puffinshop thanks for sharing. Fantastic photo - I snag imagine what it must be like to see this in real life.

I’m heading out to Iceland on Saturday but it’s a flying visit (back Monday) so not sure we’ll get chance to hike it but I’m going to try and persuade my friends.

Can’t imagine

You are lucky because the weather forecast looks good for Sunday, so the trails will very likely be open.

If you go, I would recommend getting there as early as you can because the car park can be a little chaotic. There are no toilets in the car park (god knows why they haven't put up some portaloos) and no opportunity to duck behind a rock or a bush on the walk because there is very little shelter and hundreds of other people around. So it can be a good idea to stop in the N1 petrol station in Grindavík on the way to use their toilet.

I would try to do it in daylight hours because although volcanoes are stunning at dusk and night-time, the terrain is such that it would be very easy to trip and hurt yourself in the dark, even with a head torch I think.

You won't find a better day out within easy reach of the capital area right now, in my opinion.

Thanks @Puffinshop - for all the helpful hints.
I m hoping I can convince everyone to get up early ish on Sunday to go. (We have something booked for the afternoon)

The toilet situation does worry me (I don’t mind a wild wee but not the landscape for that!)

How long did the hike there and back take you?

A lot of the second part of the route over Fagradalsfjall is like this. Very uneven.

It took us about 3 hours hiking time there and back, about 1.5 hours each way. Allow a good chunk of time to enjoy the volcano! We were passing a lot of people, though, and nobody passed us so I would say we are on the fast side. It could take longer than that if you are not a fast walker. I don't think it could take 3 hours each way, though, which is what I had heard, unless you are much slower than average.

We set off from our house in the capital at about 9.40, started the hike at about 11 (after a bit of a queue to get into the car park so you could be quicker off the mark if you were earlier) and were back home by 4 ish. It took us much less time than we expected. We'd arranged for someone to pick up our son from nursery but to be honest we could have done it ourselves.

I was thinking of jogging it 🤣. But not sure if that’s a good idea with lose rocks. Hopefully we can fit it in.

Loose

@Delatron They're not really loose, but they're at all angles. I did see a few people running. You could definitely run some of it and walk where it wasn't possible.

Run/walk may solve the loo issue as I’ll do it quicker!

Could two averagely fit 60 year olds do it do you think Puffin?

I don't see why not! If you can walk 14 km in a day and can walk up and down steep slopes, you can do it. You can take it at your own pace and there's no need to rush if you don't want to.

www.visir.is/g/20222296298d/myndaveisla-ferdamenn-trua-ekki-eigin-augum-i-meradolum

I love this so much. A collection of photographs of people coming to the point where they first set eyes on the volcano.

I loved walking back past that point, seeing and hearing the reactions.