Magnificent {photograph} captures eruption of Fagradalsfjall volcano

Olivier Grunewald took this picture of the Icelandic volcano’s central crater stuffed with lava, forming a fiery lake of liquid rock

By Gege Li

WITH round 30 energetic volcanic ranges, Iceland is not any stranger to lava and ash. However the eruption of Fagradalsfjall, daringly captured right here by photographer Olivier Grunewald, has been probably the most memorable in current occasions.

It sparked again into exercise in March 2021, breaking a interval of greater than 800 years of volcanic dormancy within the Reykjanes area, close to the capital Reykjavík. Not solely did this flip into the longest-lasting eruption Iceland has seen in half a century, with its preliminary phases stretching over almost half a 12 months, its gradual, effusive stream of lava (somewhat than risky explosions) meant that the encircling space was largely protected for the a whole bunch of hundreds of holiday makers wanting to catch a glimpse.

This magnificent picture, taken in June 2021, reveals Fagradalsfjall’s central crater stuffed with lava, forming a fiery lake of liquid rock that spills down its slopes. “Volcanoes generally fascinate me by their beauty, their power and by the feeling of being in contact with the forces that created our planet,” says Grunewald, who has been photographing such occasions for greater than 25 years.

It may be harmful work, he provides, however having an observer to maintain a watch out for any dangers and bringing protecting tools is ample to remain protected.

Regardless of its comparatively tranquil nature, Fagradalsfjall isn’t completed but. It resumed its eruption in early August 2022 (though there was no seen exercise since later that month) and volcanologists warn it’s on the right track for a cycle of eruptions that would span a number of extra years.