Iceland extreme: volcanic eruption and ice bathing

Iceland photo gallery

19. November 2021Categories: All | Iceland | Photo galleries

The entrance to the ice cave in the Vatnajökull.

The entrance to the ice cave in the Vatnajökull.

Iceland - island of extremes. On the largest volcanic island in the world, we are fascinated by the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano. And we learn to ice bathe, for minutes! Then a lagoon bath, glacier tour and ice cave visit - an unforgettable short adventure!

I can hardly believe what the drone screen shows me: A lava lake is simmering in the crater, spilling over the edge and feeding the lava flows. What an elemental force!

I can hardly believe what the drone screen shows me: A lava lake is simmering in the crater, spilling over the edge and feeding the lava flows. What an elemental force!

My bath in the lagoon of the Svinafellsjökull.

My bath in the lagoon of the Svinafellsjökull.

Playing with the surf in the surf. Caution is always advised: Iceland's natural forces are often unpredictable (photo by Christian M.).

Playing with the surf in the surf. Caution is always advised: Iceland's natural forces are often unpredictable (photo by Christian M.).

Andri is miles ahead of me in mobility and body control. Here he shows me an exercise to improve my flexibility (photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

Andri is miles ahead of me in mobility and body control. Here he shows me an exercise to improve my flexibility (photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

Everything ok? Yes. And off into the cubes for three minutes (photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

Everything ok? Yes. And off into the cubes for three minutes (photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

"It's wonderfully warm". Smile! Consciously formulated, 'warm' thoughts and positive facial expressions reduce the cold impulses (photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

"It's wonderfully warm". Smile! Consciously formulated, 'warm' thoughts and positive facial expressions reduce the cold impulses (photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

Andri shows me a special breathing technique to warm up quickly - rather than just relying on the effect of my clothes (photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

Andri shows me a special breathing technique to warm up quickly - rather than just relying on the effect of my clothes (photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

On the way to Fagradalsfjall, the path literally leads into the unknown, either to the right or to the left.

On the way to Fagradalsfjall, the path literally leads into the unknown, either to the right or to the left.

'We want to see the volcano'-attempt no. 1: After 45 minutes of walking we catch sight of a dark grey, slightly steaming lava field. Sulphur rises into our noses. One of the few visitors tells us that we have to climb a ridge to look into the crater, but that it is not worth it now because the visibility is too bad. Disappointed, we leave. It is not until attempt no. 4 that we are successful.

'We want to see the volcano'-attempt no. 1: After 45 minutes of walking we catch sight of a dark grey, slightly steaming lava field. Sulphur rises into our noses. One of the few visitors tells us that we have to climb a ridge to look into the crater, but that it is not worth it now because the visibility is too bad. Disappointed, we leave. It is not until attempt no. 4 that we are successful.

A natural spectacle that captivates everyone: The crater of Fagradalsfjall continuously ejects lava fountains into the sky.

A natural spectacle that captivates everyone: The crater of Fagradalsfjall continuously ejects lava fountains into the sky.

View of a lava flow from above the crater. Since all areas around the crater are filled with lava, you can only get closer by plane, helicopter - or as here - by drone.

View of a lava flow from above the crater. Since all areas around the crater are filled with lava, you can only get closer by plane, helicopter - or as here - by drone.

Shortly after another test bath in the pool of Skogarfoss. The wind and the spray of the waterfall are enormous, the drops blow partly horizontally - the water drops on the lens testify this.

Shortly after another test bath in the pool of Skogarfoss. The wind and the spray of the waterfall are enormous, the drops blow partly horizontally - the water drops on the lens testify this.

View of the glaciers Svinafellsjökull in the foreground and Skaftafellsjökull behind.

View of the glaciers Svinafellsjökull in the foreground and Skaftafellsjökull behind.

In an ice cave at the southern end of Vatnajökull.

In an ice cave at the southern end of Vatnajökull.

I hike a bit through the ice cave at the southern end of Vatnajökull.

I hike a bit through the ice cave at the southern end of Vatnajökull.

The light, the colours and the ice formations of this cave are overwhelmingly beautiful! And ephemeral: every year the glacier melts by about seventy metres.

The light, the colours and the ice formations of this cave are overwhelmingly beautiful! And ephemeral: every year the glacier melts by about seventy metres.

The entrance to the ice cave in the Vatnajökull.

The entrance to the ice cave in the Vatnajökull.

Christian on a hike with a view of the massive Svinafeelsjökull.

Christian on a hike with a view of the massive Svinafeelsjökull.

From a distance, the upper part of Svinafellsjökull looks like a steep, gigantic ice wall.

From a distance, the upper part of Svinafellsjökull looks like a steep, gigantic ice wall.

My bath in the lagoon of the Svinafellsjökull.

My bath in the lagoon of the Svinafellsjökull.

Landscape near Selfoss.

Landscape near Selfoss.

After my bath in the Kleifarvatn (Photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

After my bath in the Kleifarvatn (Photo by Frank Nieuwenhuis).

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