Flying Over an Iceland Volcano!

In late July 2021 we managed to squeak in a summer trip to Iceland when it was safe between waves of COVID‑19.  We had the thrill of a lifetime when we flew in a helicopter over the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano!  It was incredible seeing bubbling lava and the creation of new Earth right before our eyes.  It was our first helicopter ride and was so smooth.  The volcano was only a short 15-minute trip from Reykjavik.  We were surprised when our pilot said she had gotten her training near our home in Florida.  Every night we watched volcanic lava fountains from our AirBnB (15 miles away).  Sometimes the fountains shot up to 30 stories tall!  The eruption stopped just 6 weeks after our visit, so we feel fortunate that we had that experience when we could.  Incredible landscape and scenery!  Click on the pictures if you wish to enlarge.  For a nature lover, Iceland is the best!

 

Pam and Richard by Helicopter

View of Reykjavik Suburbs from Helicopter

Fagradalsfjall Volcanic Landscape, July 27, 2021

Fagradalsfjall Volcano with Lava Flow

Iceland Volcanic Landscape Looks Like Mars

Fagradalsfjall Volcano Lava Rocks

Fagradalsfjall Volcano Fountains and Moon

Our Nightly View of Volcano (Church in Foreground on Right)

Return to Beautiful Iceland!

Puffin Statue near Skogafoss

Skogafoss Waterfall

Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Svartifoss Waterfall with Rainbow

Mount Kirkjufell with Cotton Grass

Heath Orchid

Icelandic Horse Portrait

Icelandic Horse Family

Arnarstapi Lava Cliff

Midnight Sunset

In June we visited Iceland again (our third trip) – the photography opportunities are that good!  The weather was great, and the sights were amazing!  Some of our favorite photos are included with this post (click to enlarge).

Iceland: Spectacular Waterfalls!

Seljalandsfoss in South Iceland

Seljalandsfoss Vertical View

Seljalandsfoss Sheets of Falling Water

Massive Skogafoss in South Iceland

Unnamed Waterfall in South Iceland

Gullfoss (Golden Falls) near Reykjavik

Close-up of Gullfoss Gorge

Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods) in North Iceland

Unnamed Waterfall in North Iceland

Waterfall and Farm in South Iceland

Iceland has been called the “Land of 10,000 Waterfalls”. Although the actual number is unknown, waterfalls are numerous due to abundant rainfall and glacial ice melt in summer.  “Foss” at the end of a word means waterfall in Icelandic.  These waterfalls are spectacular!