Iceland is volcano on steroids. Not only is it the highest peak of the longest mountain range on Earth (the Mid-Atlantic Ridge), it’s also a volcanic hotspot. The volcanic island was formed when magma rose from deep within and erupted to the surface. At the same time, Iceland is being torn apart as the crustal plates above it are slowly moving apart, causing even more volcanic eruptions.
The 1783 eruption of Laki killed 20-25% of Iceland’s population, poisoned over 20,000 people in Europe with volcanic gases, and triggered global climate change, causing famine, drought, and floods across the Northern Hemisphere.
In the summer of 2015, I explored parts of southern Iceland, scuba diving branching tectonic boundaries, hiking glacial valleys, and scaling wind-ravaged volcanic slopes. Iceland is a stark and beautiful country, always waiting for the next eruption.
The people living in Iceland respect the forces of nature, know that earthquakes and eruptions will occur, and have demonstrated a willingness to react when possible to protect their lives and homes.
In the background of the photo below is a town that was almost saved in 1973 by villagers who spent days spraying seawater on lava flows erupting from the Eldfell volcano, where I am standing. They succeeded in stopping the lava flow, but Icelanders know that the island they live on would not exist without millions of years of eruptions that are still not over.