{"id":122357,"date":"2023-12-19T12:39:54","date_gmt":"2023-12-19T12:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yourclomid.com\/?p=122357"},"modified":"2023-12-19T12:39:54","modified_gmt":"2023-12-19T12:39:54","slug":"insane-photos-show-thrill-seekers-defy-warnings-by-venturing-to-iceland-volcano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yourclomid.com\/world-news\/insane-photos-show-thrill-seekers-defy-warnings-by-venturing-to-iceland-volcano\/","title":{"rendered":"Insane photos show thrill-seekers defy warnings by venturing to Iceland volcano"},"content":{"rendered":"

Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter flies over volcanic eruption<\/h3>\n

Thrill seekers flocked to the scene of a massive volcanic eruption in Iceland on Monday, defying warnings issued by authorities.<\/p>\n

The eruption, originating approximately 2.4 miles from the town of Grindavik on the Reykjanes peninsula, began around 10 pm on Monday night, unleashing a spectacular display of bubbling lava and billowing smoke into the night sky.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Astonishing images captured scores of cars queuing up to get close to the eruption site, as people sought to witness the event first-hand.\u00a0Footage from the eruption showcased Iceland’s night sky ablaze with an orange hue as molten rock soared into the air, continuing into the early hours of the morning.<\/p>\n

This eruption follows a series of earthquakes that led to the evacuation of thousands last month, prompting the country to declare a state of emergency in anticipation of the impending explosion.<\/p>\n

Magnus Tumi Gudmundsson, a scientist who surveyed the site from a Coast Guard research flight, estimated that twice as much lava had already erupted compared to the entire month-long eruption on the peninsula earlier in the summer.<\/p>\n

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Despite the evident dangers, the Ministry of the Environment issued repeated warnings to those contemplating proximity to the volcano. Icelandic Police raised their alert level, and the country’s civil defence cautioned the public to avoid the area while emergency personnel assessed the situation.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, thrill seekers were spotted standing near the lava plumes, captivated by the natural spectacle. Local residents expressed mixed emotions, with one French tour guide noting the amazing yet bittersweet feeling, acknowledging the potential threat to the town of Grindavik.<\/p>\n

The Norwegian Meteorological Agency reported an unprecedented lava flow of 100 to 200 cubic meters per second, significantly surpassing previous eruptions in the Reykjanes Peninsula in recent years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Iceland’s President, Gu\u00f0ni Thorlacius J\u00f3hannesson, emphasized the need to protect human life and infrastructure, while Hj\u00f6rd\u00eds Gu\u00f0mundsd\u00f3ttir from the Icelandic national defence reiterated warnings to steer clear of the eruption site. Meanwhile, Reykjavik’s international airport remained open, but some travellers experienced delays due to the volcanic activity.<\/p>\n

As the eruption unfolded, volcanologist \u00deorvald \u00de\u00f3r\u00f0arson acknowledged that this scenario was the worst-case outcome, highlighting the unpredictable nature of such events. However, Krist\u00edn J\u00f3nsd\u00f3ttir, head of natural hazards at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, expressed optimism that the eruption’s intensity would decrease soon.<\/p>\n

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