Volcano Tourists In Iceland Flock To First Eruption In 6,000 Years As Lava Spews 300ft Into The Air

Mount Fagradalsfjall in Geldingadalur has been seen spewing molten lava rivers in incredible images.

Thousands of small earthquakes in the region southwest of Reykjavk awakened the sleeping giant on March 19, and eruptions began.

More than 10 million square feet of lava were ejected from Fagradalsfjall, with some plumes reaching 300 feet into the air.

Credit: @bryndis_lind

This was the first eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula in 781 years after the volcano had been dormant for over 6,000 years.

Katrin Jakobsdóttir, Iceland's prime minister, previously urged people to avoid the volcano.

Credit: @kmaack

Tourists were initially barred from accessing the region, but as of yesterday, they were permitted to approach the erupting volcano.

People were seen smiling and posing by the dangerous mountain, which was spewing hot ash and molten lava.

Credit: sara_odds

The sights and smells at the erupting mountain were described by Ulvar Kari Johannsson, 21.

He said: "It's absolutely breath-taking.

Credit: @Lenpshen

"It smells pretty bad. For me what was surprising was the colors of the orange - much, much deeper than what one would expect."

The eruptive fissure, which is the vent from which the lava spews, is estimated to be 500-700 meters long, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

Credit: @sandrakr

The activity at the site has "slightly decreased" in recent days, according to experts, but the lava remains a "local hazard."

The meteorological office tweeted: "Gas pollution is not expected to cause much discomfort for people except close up to the source of the eruption."

Credit: @david_nicetravel

Because of the volcano's proximity to Keflavik International Airport, there are concerns about ash clouds, but no buildings are in danger and no evacuations are expected.

More than 100,000 flights were canceled worldwide in 2010 due to ash clouds from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano.

Credit: @sandra.erd