Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano

In the late afternoon of 12 September 2014, Marco undertook a first flight by helicopter over the ongoing fissure eruption of Bardarbunga volcano. The fissure is located about 40 km north of the central caldera, in the Holuhraun lava desert, between Dyngjujokull and Askja Volcano. After having started at the end of August 2014, it was still erupting about 200 cubic meters of lava per second, becoming the most important volcanic event of Iceland in the last hundred years. The lava now flows nearly 20 kms from the vents!

Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
The huge eruptive column over the fissure hidden by a dust storm: a helicopter appears as a tiny dot above the steam.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
The main cluster of lava fountains at the center of the fissure.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
Strong wind removes most of the thick steam from the vents.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
The highest lava fountains reach a height of about 200m.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
Zoom into the biggest lava fountains.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
The southernmost vent is a cauldroun of boiling lava.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
The main lava flow can be seen at bottom right.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
Panoramic view of the entire fissure from the north.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
Lava fountains seen from the west.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
The main lava flow in the background of a boiling crater.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
Cinder cones are quickly growing around the main fountains.
Fissural eruption of Bardarbunga Volcano
The southernmost vent is the only one feeding a lava flow running west.
Photos Copyright Marco Fulle, Nikkor lens 80-200 f/2.8