Iceland Tourist Board

First there was global warming and the on-going threat to Iceland’s slowly receding glaciers. Then there was the economic crisis which is only now just slowly starting to recover. Now what? Give us a break – another volcanic eruption?

In late March, blasts of lava and ash shot out of a volcano in southern Iceland and small tremors rocked the ground, a surge in activity at the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. But we’ve seen this all before – about 200 years ago when at least 500 people were forced to evacuate. And more recently in Heimaey in the Westman islands in 1973 when 417 homes were destroyed. When it comes down to it, Mother Nature generates even more publicity for Iceland than a Bjork swan dress.

Iceland isn’t called “Fire and Ice” for nothing. It sits on a large volcanic hot spot in the Atlantic’s mid-oceanic ridge, which is why we have so many heated public pools and such clean, geothermal energy to heat homes, schools and factories. In fact the salty phrases “go to heck” and “what the heck” comes from the Hekla volcano, the country’s most active and considered in folklore the “gateway to hell.”

Visiting Iceland is like a study in earth sciences. One way to see the action is through a tour operator such as Iceland Encounter (www.encounter.is) which offers three different ways to experience the recent volcanic eruption from a safe distance:

Air – For a bird’s-eye view of the eruption, fly from Reykjavík Airport (near the city center) over the eruption site in a light aircraft which is well suited for aerial photography. Up to five passengers per 90 minutes flight. From $350 per person.

Snowmobile – Take a one to two hour snowmobile tour across Mýrdalsjökull glacier and get as close to the eruption site as is safely possible. The tour includes guide services, protective clothing, and transportation to and from Reykjavík. Each trip is nine to eleven hours in duration for a minimum of two people. From $590 per person.

Super Jeep – Travel via modified 4×4 Super Jeeps into Fljótshlíð valley, and then either drive or hike up the Tindfjöll mountain range. From this spot, hikers can clearly see and hear the eruption from a distance of approximately nine miles. The tour includes expert guides and transportation to and from Reykjavík. A minimum of two passengers may take this eight to ten hour trip. From $280 per person.

For information, availability and bookings, contact Iceland Encounter at contact@encounter.is or +354-857-88034.