If the volcano Askja/Dyngjufjöll, which is on the northern side of the highlands, between Vatnajökull and Mývatn, starts to erupt, it could have a significant impact. Even great disasters. The volcanic eruption in Askja that began on March 29, 1875 is considered the largest ash eruption in Iceland in historical time, and one of the largest in the world. The eruption lasted only a few hours, with tremendous ash fall. A number of inhabited areas were deserted, and a lot of people migrated west across the ocean to America in the years after the eruption. Today, air traffic would be disrupted, and large parts of the northern and eastern parts of the country might have to be deserted. There are signs that the volcano is due to erupt. The Icelandic Meteorological Office, which monitors the volcanoes as well as the weather is with Öskja/Dyngjuföll under special survailence, as the land near the volcano is constantly rising.
Photographs & text: Páll Stefánsson
19/03/2023 : A7C, A7RIV : FE 2.5/40mm G, FE 2.8/100mm GM
