Mynd: Hlynur Þorsteinsson - Aðsend mynd
Volcano viewpoint finally cut off by advancing lava
The path to the popular hilltop viewpoint at the Fagradalsfjall volcanic eruption was finally cut off by molten lava this morning. The path was closed last weekend for security reasons, as the lava could advance suddenly and leave people stranded, though some chose to ignore the cordon.
The photograph above was taken by Hlynur Þorsteinsson at around 07.00 this morning and shows the lava covering the old path up the hill, which has become known "Gónhóll" (roughly tranlslated as gaping hill, or staring hill) since the eruption began.
Hjálmar Hallgrímsson, a police officer in Grindavík, says the news was officially confirmed between 08.00 and 09.00 this morning.
The Reykjanes peninsula was foggy this morning and there were not many visitors at the volcano. It is believed nobody was on the wrong side of the security cordon when the lava crossed the path. No calls for assistance have been received since.
“Gónhóll” has been a popular spot for people to view the eruption—especially since lava started filling the valleys around it. The hill was closed last weekend for security reasons, though, and nobody can now access it by foot.
Despite the closure of the hill, the general volcano area is still accessible to visitors and is a popular attraction. Many people have visited multiple times to witness how quickly the landscape is changing.
