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Latest Eyjafjallajökull volcano update!

Tuesday, May 04 2010

Hi there!

Here is the latest update from the incredible Eyjafjalljökull Volcano in South Iceland!

First of all - we all have to admit missing the small "tourist volcano" at Fimmvörðuháls that "passed away" on April 13. It was a beautiful little eruption - shortlived like the grace of a mayfly - but destined to be burned out before its beauty could be adorned by most peoples amazed eyes. Then, on April 14, came the bigger volcano located under the glacial ice of Eyjafjallajökull. This has for some reason been deemed as a natural catastrophe. It did have a very trying period that disrupted international airtravel for millions of people worldwide and this naturally caused great frustration and substantial economic losses for the travel industry. At least for a temporary timeframe. And this was of course a major negative event.

That much is true, but hopefully that phase of the eruption now is over over. Some media has unfortunately also, in hope of causing unrespiteful fear through sensationalistic journalism, inaccurately been reporting that Iceland is going to blow up and that the countryside here is now a disaster zone. They have thereby been wrongly inciting apprehension and distrust into some travelers. This is so wrong and lacks factual or scientific backup that it disgusts me. I must firmly & tediously emphasize that almost all the vicinity around the glacier is not an ash-ridden wasteland or an area at all dangerous to be in.

We need to be crystal clear here. The truth of the matter is that the area that now is negatively affected by the volcano on the glacier is very small, limited to a small stretch located directly under the Eyjafjallajökull glacier and in the valley of Thorsmörk. I know this. I live here. I can firmly confirm that The Eyjafjallajökull volcano is a positive and vibrant world class ATTRACTION to South Iceland - not a negative threat or detraction. The area is safe and a great place for tourists to be in, to see and to experience the power of the volcano. NOW - and in the foreseeable future! Official updates can be found on this accurate website in English presented from The Civilian Icelandic Emergency Authorities.

Today it seems as if the lava stream has reached the bottom of the Gigjökull glacial tongue - meaning that a lava flow will soon reach the grounds of the Thorsmörk Valley (where the old glacial lagoon once was located). The lagoon was totally swept away by floods on April 14-16 and is now strewed with lava, silt and ice of all sizes, colors and dimensions. This is very dramatic and could soon become a great viewing experience as the lava will basically be rolling from the caldera atop the glacier down to the Thorsmörk - a lava waterfall with a drop of some incredible 1.500 meters! This in a very short magnitude of distance.

The water temperature of the Markarfljót River has risen substantially and the water coming into the old lagoon basin is HOT. Steam indicates that hot water and eventually lava have already reached the ground level. This will provide some extraordinary conditions for viewing this magnificent and dramatic display of nature! I at least know that I am going to be on the other side of the river in Fljótshlið valley tonight - hopefully getting a good show. Maybe in a helicopter...Incredibly enough, we have aurora storm conditions tonight as well. This may well be the last chance until August to see the aurora borealis (I know it was visible 2 nights ago as far south as northern US, Southern Sweden & Scotland) until August. Which means summer is here!

Life is good here. Real good. With a volcano in my backyard and the aurora borealis possibly above it tonight. And a magnitude of fantastic sites to visit and activities to do. Imagine playing midnight golf with presently inactive Mount Hekla in your background and the active volcano on top of Eyjafjalljökull next to it! Fishing for salmon & trout, horse riding, glacial tours, super jeep tours, helicopter tours, river rafting, ATW tours, whale watching, diving, sea-angling... You name it. We got it! Come visit us! You will see something fantastically unique that you will almost certainly never forget!

So for now - I am changing identities from Bob Borealis to The Volcano Guy - until August that is. Bob Borealis thanks you all for a great beginning of the “Age of Aurora” and now temporarily leaves the building. And The Volcano Guy enters the scene welcoming you to a great action-filled summer here at Hotel Ranga in South Iceland - Your Volcano Base! The hottest travel destination to be found!

Click here to get a live webcam view of the volcano

 

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