As the world has heard there is a volcanic eruption in Iceland that has made an impact on people’s lives in the last days, especially those travelling with planes.  

It has caused disruption in the area in form of ash falling like heavy snow, and water floods from under the glacier Eyjafjallajökull.   How this will affect us in the long run is difficult to say. If it stops soon the ashes will vanish in to the ground quite quickly but if it keeps on “snowing ash” it is possible it can affect both animals and humans. The water floods can also have an impact in many ways.

Registered participants in the LAUGAVEGUR ULTRA MARATHON are probably now wondering if this will have any effect on the race this summer.  The race is almost 3 months from now and we have no plans to cancel the race. Today we are confident that this will be over soon but we will have plan B ready. Further information about how this will develop will be published here on the website. 

The volcano is in mountain Eyjafallajökull that is 10 km (direct air km) from the race finish line in Húsdalur in Þórsmök.  On the course maps you will see two glaciers side by side. The bigger one, on the right is Mýrdalsjökull. That one is quiet now but it is a volcano named Katla. The smaller one on the left is Eyjafjallajökull and is the one with the eruptions.

Daily life goes on as usual as the immediate effects of the eruption remain for the most part localized - limited to an area in the south of Iceland. Businesses, public services, and public transportations have remained open and all infrastructures, such as electricity and communications networks, remain secure.

Although the volcano poses no safety threat to people in Iceland, visitors are nevertheless encouraged to follow developments and seek factual information from the relevant authorities. Very little ash has fallen over the last few days – and is only visible as a very fine dust on cars near the eruption site. The volcanic eruption is now stable, and is roughly one tenth of the size it was during the first few days. Although some ash mist might reach the capital area, it is not likely to cause more air pollution than a heavy traffic day in Reykjavik. So no need for masks!

The Civil Protection Department of the Icelandic Police publishes new releases about the eruption at the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic system on their website every day. Click here to visit their website. Information’s are also updated regularly on the Icelandic Tourist Board website visiticeland.com.

The new service boston.com has gathered some amazing pictures from the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull. Click here if you want to see the pictures.

Click here to see live pictures from Eyjafjallajokull and here to see information about the eruption from the Institute of Earth Sciences at University of Iceland.