From Ambassador (I went to see the volcanic eruption!)
2021/7/20
In March, a volcanic eruption began at Geldingadalur located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, not far from Reykjavik. The eruption is still going on intermittently. Perhaps many of you have seen the video or news footage of lava flowing steadily from the crater.
If this happened in Japan, the area would have been completely closed and ordinary people would not be allowed to go near, because of the danger, but that is not the case in this country. Many people living in the capital area consider it as a great opportunity to see this incredible natural phenomena up close and endless people visit the site. Parking lots and hiking trails have been constructed and, in case of an accident, rescue teams have been monitoring the area. Many people come all the way from abroad only to see the eruption. It is probably safe to say that this site became a new centerpiece of the Icelandic tourism.
The other day, I took the opportunity to see this new hot spot with my own eyes.
Shortly after the eruption began, it was possible to go up very close to the area near the crater. However, since the valley as well as the crater area are now widely covered with blown lava, it is not possible to go near the crater currently. I ended up following the route where I could overlook the volcano across the lava-covered valley, walking on the ridge of the other side. Even so, I could see the volcano erupting intermittently as well as a valley that was recently covered with lava flow and had turned black.
It wasn’t a difficult hike, but the mountain trail on the way was partly steep and, above all, it was a route along the ridge without any protection from wind. The wind there was quite strong and I was almost blown away many times, which made me feel a little uneasy. Although there were families with small children and elderly people, there was also an incident in which an American tourist fell and went missing temporarily. Since guided tours are available these days, it may be safer than going alone.
If this happened in Japan, the area would have been completely closed and ordinary people would not be allowed to go near, because of the danger, but that is not the case in this country. Many people living in the capital area consider it as a great opportunity to see this incredible natural phenomena up close and endless people visit the site. Parking lots and hiking trails have been constructed and, in case of an accident, rescue teams have been monitoring the area. Many people come all the way from abroad only to see the eruption. It is probably safe to say that this site became a new centerpiece of the Icelandic tourism.
The other day, I took the opportunity to see this new hot spot with my own eyes.
Shortly after the eruption began, it was possible to go up very close to the area near the crater. However, since the valley as well as the crater area are now widely covered with blown lava, it is not possible to go near the crater currently. I ended up following the route where I could overlook the volcano across the lava-covered valley, walking on the ridge of the other side. Even so, I could see the volcano erupting intermittently as well as a valley that was recently covered with lava flow and had turned black.
It wasn’t a difficult hike, but the mountain trail on the way was partly steep and, above all, it was a route along the ridge without any protection from wind. The wind there was quite strong and I was almost blown away many times, which made me feel a little uneasy. Although there were families with small children and elderly people, there was also an incident in which an American tourist fell and went missing temporarily. Since guided tours are available these days, it may be safer than going alone.