--- title: "Jaw-Dropping Video Shows Massive Volcano Erupting Near Airport" description: "Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted near a major Icelandic airport on Wednesday afternoon, roughly 20 miles from the nation's capital Reykjavik." date: "2022-08-04" modified: "2022-08-04" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/volcano-erupting-icelandic-airport" categories: - "Science & Energy" tags: - "fagradalsfjall" - "Iceland" - "the digest" - "volcano" --- # Jaw-Dropping Video Shows Massive Volcano Erupting Near Airport ![Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted near a major Icelandic airport on Wednesday afternoon, roughly 20 miles from the nation's capital Reykjavik.]() *\Image: JEREMIE RICHARD/AFP via Getty Images\* ## Dancing Fire Talk about a warm welcome. Iceland's colossal Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted not far from its capital's airport on Wednesday afternoon — and judging by the photos captured by adventurous onlookers, it was certainly a sight to behold. According to [*The Washington Post*](), the eruption took place roughly ten miles from the Keflavik International Airport and 20 miles from the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported so far, despite many curious onlookers flocking to the site to witness the awe-inspiring scene, which one volcano enthusiast described as a "dancing fire," as quoted by the *WaPo.* A video recorded at the scene shows a writhing mass of burning lava, blowing copious amounts of smoke into the air. https://twitter.com/Flash43191300/status/1555181965111861252 ## Don't Touch The Fagradalsfjall volcano erupted last March, after [laying dormant for nearly 800 years](). According to [a Wednesday statement]() by the Icelandic government, the eruption — which has technically been classified as a volcanic fissure — followed a series of regional earthquakes. The statement also notes that the eruption is relatively small and officials aren't too concerned about public safety. "What we know so far is that the eruption does not pose any risk to populated areas or critical infrastructure," Icelandic Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir added in the statement. "We will of course continue to monitor the situation closely." Still, they would rather have curious onlookers stay away. The site is still active, and officials worry that eruption byproducts like pollution, gas, and even falling rocks could prove to be dangerous. Fortunately, we can follow the event from the comfort — and safety — [of our own homes](). **READ MORE:** [*Volcano eruption near Iceland airport sparks travel fears, risky photo shoots*]() \[*The Washington Post*\] **More on Fagradalsfjall:** [*Watch a Drone Get Obliterated by an Erupting Volcano*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()