Iceland Volcano Creates 27-Story "Mountain"

But fan-favorite lava fountains sputtering, experts say.

The 2,192°F (1,200°C) jets of lava and gas haven't been without their charms, scientific and otherwise. "Especially in the twilight, everything starts to glow, and it's spectacularly beautiful," said Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson of the University of Iceland's Institute of Earth Sciences. (See pictures of the Iceland volcano erupting.)



Because a glacier covers Eyjafjallajökull (pronounced AY-uh-full-ay-ho-kul), the eruption at first sparked fears of flooding, and Icelandic authorities evacuated about 600 people in the area. But the residents soon returned when scientists realized the active vents were in a 1.2-mile-wide (2-kilometer-wide) ice-free strip.



In fact, in some places the ribbons of orange lava flowing downslope—called lavafalls (see picture)—have become major tourist attractions, Guðmundsson added.

(Iceland Volcano Pictures: Eruption

Unlock this story for free

Want the full story? Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free.
Already have an account?
SIGN IN

Read This Next

What bacteria lurk in your city? Consult the bees.
Is melatonin giving you nightmares?
Why are these orcas killing sharks and removing their livers?

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet