Photos show crowds gathering in Iceland to witness long-dormant volcano eruption

Erin SnodgrassMar 25, 2021, 05:52 IST

Weekend hikers took the opportunity Sunday to inspect the area where a volcano erupted in Iceland on March 19Jeremie Richard/AFP via Getty Images

A long-dormant volcano near Reykjavik in Iceland erupted slow-moving lava starting last week.
Crowds of visitors made the trek beginning last weekend to witness the molten lava.
This is the first time in 800 years the area has seen a volcanic eruption.

A long-dormant volcano that erupted about 25 miles from Reykjavik has continued to draw large crowds this week.

People watch and take photos as lava flows from an eruption of a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. AP Photo/Marco Di Marco

Lava first began to flow from the volcano Friday night, after tens of thousands of earthquakes were recorded in the area in recent weeks.

Lava flows from an eruption of a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland on Saturday, March 20, 2021. AP Photo/Marco Di Marco

The eruption is known as an effusive eruption, which is when magma rises through the surface and lava slowly flows out of the volcano's fissures.

Iceland's latest volcano eruption is quickly attracting crowds of people hoping to get close to the gentle lava flows. AP Photo/Marco Di Marco

Police told residents living nearby to close their windows and stay indoors on Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. But that didn't stop dozens of weekend hikers from taking in the sight.

Sunday hikers look at the lava flowing from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano some 40 km west of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, on March 21, 2021. Photo by JEREMIE RICHARD/AFP via Getty Images

Police told residents living nearby to close their windows and stay indoors on Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. But that didn't stop dozens of weekend hikers from taking in the sight.

Hikers' parked cars stretched along the roadside.

A long line of parked cars left along the roadside by hikers flocking to the area to get a look at the lava flowing from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano some 40 km west of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, on March 23, 2021 Photo by HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP via Getty Images

The eruption sent a red shimmer into the Icelandic sky Saturday night.

A view of volcano eruption in Geldingadalur on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland on March 21, 2021. Photo by Anton Brink/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The striking red glimmer could be seen rising behind the President of Iceland's official residence in Reykjavik.

The red shimmer from lava flowing from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano rise behind the Bessastadir, the official residence of the President of Iceland seen from the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, Photo by HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP via Getty Images

Those who got an up-close view of the flowing lava were amazed.

Sunday hikers look at the lava flowing from the erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano some 40 km west of the Icelandic capital Reykjavik, on March 21, 2021. Photo by JEREMIE RICHARD/AFP via Getty Images

The end of the weekend didn't deter visitors from streaming in to witness the natural beauty Monday and Tuesday.

Weekend hikers took the opportunity Sunday to inspect the area where a volcano erupted in Iceland on March 19. Photo by Jeremie RICHARD / AFP

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Photos show crowds gathering in Iceland to witness long-dormant volcano eruption

A long-dormant volcano that erupted about 25 miles from Reykjavik has continued to draw large crowds this week.

Lava first began to flow from the volcano Friday night, after tens of thousands of earthquakes were recorded in the area in recent weeks.

The eruption is known as an effusive eruption, which is when magma rises through the surface and lava slowly flows out of the volcano's fissures.

Police told residents living nearby to close their windows and stay indoors on Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. But that didn't stop dozens of weekend hikers from taking in the sight.

Hikers' parked cars stretched along the roadside.

The eruption sent a red shimmer into the Icelandic sky Saturday night.

The striking red glimmer could be seen rising behind the President of Iceland's official residence in Reykjavik.

Those who got an up-close view of the flowing lava were amazed.

The end of the weekend didn't deter visitors from streaming in to witness the natural beauty Monday and Tuesday.