It has escaped no one’s attention that yet another eruption is taking place on the Reykjanes peninsula. Just like the other four eruptions this year, this one is closed to visitors. I’ll say this again: The area has been closed off by the authorities, and the ban is being enforced by the police.
So there’s no going there, no hiking, and no pulling over on the road between Keflavík and Reykjavík. The temptation to go for a look is strong, and understandable. Most people don’t get to see an erupting volcano in their lifetime.
But this eruption and its recent predecessors are closed for some extremely good reasons. And we, your friends at the Grapevine, are here to help you not hurt yourself with this official Reasons You Shouldn’t Visit The Volcano FAQ. Q: Why can’t I hike to the volcano? A: Pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable — because the reasons why hiking in the area is banned are numerous.
Firstly, the ground in the erupting area is extremely treacherous. It’s old lava that’s full of crevasses. Sometimes the chasms are superficially covered by soft, overgrown moss, meaning even the most careful eyes won’t see the danger until it’s too late.
So if you’re looking to break a leg, or disappear forever — or to hide a body, nudge nudge — that’s your hike. Second, there are now five overlapping recent lava fields in the area, and even though they might seem solid, they’re anything but. Only the top layer has solidified, with steaming .