Volcanic eruption in South Iceland

The volcanic eruption in the glacier Eyjafjallajokull in South Iceland is continuing but Icelandic civil protection authorities have the situation as regards public response fully under control. The affected areas have been evacuated and damage has been limited to roads, bridges and other infrastructure that has been destroyed by flooding. Further damage to agricultural land is evident. A webcam of the volcano is available here.

Day to day business in Iceland apart from the directly affected areas in the south has not been affected. The ash hurled into the atmosphere by the eruption has however caused serious disruption of air traffic. Icelandic scientists and public authorities, the Meterological Institution (http://en.vedur.is/) and the Icelandic Civil Aviation Administration (http://www.isavia.is/), remain in close contact with their counterparts in Europe in order to monitor the eruption, the weather conditions and the projected path of the volcanic ash cloud.

Travelling in Iceland – safety first

Foreign visitors in Iceland that have had their flights cancelled are advised to contact their travel agents. Visitors coming to Iceland are encouraged to monitor the news and learn about their rights if the flight is cancelled.

Travelers are also urged to take all necessary general precautions while travelling in Iceland and seek the advise of local authorities.

Air traffic

Ash fall from the volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull has affected air traffic in North Europe the last few days and therefore traveling to and from Iceland. People are encouraged to monitor the news and learn about their rights if the flight is canceled.

Passengers flying to or from Iceland are advised to follow updated travel information on http://www.kefairport.is/English/

• Information from Icelandair (http://www.icelandair.co.uk/information/media/newslist/announcement/item430206/Volcanic_ash_from_is_closing_airspace_(_UK_&_Scandinavia)/)
• Information from Iceland Express (http://www.icelandexpress.com/travel_information/)
• Information from SAS (http://www.flysas.com/en/unconnected_pages/Volcano-eruption-on-Iceland-/?idkeep=True&vst=true)
• Information from the Icelandic Civil Aviation Administration www.isavia.is

Situation report from the Civil Emergency Authorities

Update on the situation 16 April 2010

The emergency evacuation implemented last night in response to flash flooding went well. Local residents, with the exception of 20 farms, were able to return to their homes when it became clear that flood barriers had held back the flood water.

There was no need for further evacuations during the night despite two additional flash floods that originated from the Gígjökull lagoon. The flooding did, however, cause widespread damage. A 400m section National route 1to the east of Markarfljótsbrú and sections of the road to the east Seljalandsá river have been washed away. National route 1 is closed from Þverá, which is to the east of Hvolsvöllur to Þorvaldseyri. The road close to Bleiksá river, in Fljótshlíð, is impassable in places.

The weather forecast for the affected area indicates westerly winds during the day becoming northerly in the evening. Volcanic ash can be expected to fall on the area to the south of the glacier during the evening and night. The volcanic ash particles are very fine and have been compared to flour and sugar in size. The Flourine content of the ash is high and presents a health risk to livestock in areas where the ash layer is more than 1 cm thick.

Health hazards of volcanic ash

There is considerable ash fall resulting from the volcanic eruption under the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. The ash that is falling is composed of fine and course particles. The wind direction and other meteorological conditions have an impact on where the ash falls to earth.

The most common effects are respiratory effects and eye irritation. Those in affected areas should use a mask when outside and use protective goggles.

Children and adults with respiratory problems should remain indoors.

(Information provided by Iceland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs)

Vatnajokull National Park is made up of the old Jokulsargljufur and Skaftafell national parks, as well as the entire Vatnajokull glacier.

Icelandic travel website www.South.is describes Vatnajokull National Park as the ‘meeting point of extremes’ – a sentiment instantly confirmed by the statistics.

Vatnajokull is the biggest glacier in Europe by volume and blankets six active volcanoes under its 8,000 square kilometres of ice. Fire and ice are extreme contrasts; but the National Park’s sheer size is extreme too: 13,000 square kilometres, or 13 percent of the entire country.

Creating a national park over the whole glacier was partly a political move intended to draw attention to the rapid melting of Iceland’s glaciers and to aid researchers in highlighting the reasons.

Although partly created for scientists, the second big winners will be the tourists coming to the south of Iceland. The park aims to have completed construction of its second visitors’ centre shortly, and an additional four visitors’ centres will be completed by 2012.

As well as this, rangers’ stations will increase from four to 11 under the 10 million euro investment plan currently underway. Iceland hopes to see a total increase of five to seven percent in visitor numbers to the country over the next few years in return for the investment.

People interested in the south of Iceland and Vatnajokull National Park can visit www.South.is – a leading English language website for the tourist industry in south Iceland. The site contains information on accommodation, current events, restaurants and attractions as well as an inspiring collection of photographs from the area.

The huge area of South Iceland, with its few inhabitants and many sheep, does not immediately seem like prime museum territory – but the website South.is begs to differ. Listings on the site exist for dozens of museums and galleries, and over 40 churches of interest.

One of South Iceland’s museum highlights is, most visitors agree, the popular Skogar folk Museum, which has flourished under imaginative management, and by being set in beautiful countryside near the iconic Skogarfoss waterfall.

Other notable South Iceland museums include the exciting ‘Ghost Centre’ and the Hvolsvollur Saga Centre. Visitors with children may be interested in a visit to the Slakki Farm Zoo and the Icelandic Wonders Museum.

More than just a list of museums, South.is is a comprehensive guide to activities, accommodation and restaurants in south Iceland, among other things. The website is designed to be easily navigable and decorated with stunning photography.

South.is also provides an English language guide to the Icelandic horse, including where to ride them, where to buy things for them, and when horse shows are.

For more details on museums in the south of Iceland, visit South.is.

The 18th ‘Landsmot,’ or Icelandic National Horse Show, will take place at Hella in South Iceland from 30th June to 6th July.

The biannual festival is the main equestrian event in Iceland and is globally recognised as the premiere show for Icelandic horses and Icelandic horse breeding. Various competitions will showcase the best horses in the country, from the classic Icelandic ‘gaedingakeppni’, to ‘tolt’ and racing competitions.

South.is was recently launched as a website for the travel industry in South Iceland and includes an extensive section on Icelandic horses. It covers everything from horse rentals and riding lessons to horse breeding and horse shows in southern Iceland.

The website also has extensive listings on accommodation, activities, attractions, restaurants and other events in the south of Iceland.

For more information on Icelandic horses and South Iceland, visit www.south.is

The company, which operates a number of quality hotels in South Iceland, has launched a new informative website, which not only advertises the hotels, but also offers an interesting insight into southern Iceland with dramatic photography and an extensive activity guide.

The four All Seasons Hotels are very different from each other and together offer a very diverse cross section of South Iceland – all within easy reach of Mount Hekla, Geysir, Gullfoss and Landmannalaugar for example.

The company’s Hrauneyjar Highland Centre is a guesthouse and service centre on the very edge of civilisation, where roads and electricity give way to total Highland wilderness. Hotel Highland offers the same stunning vistas and Highland solitude, but with a twist of luxury, including à la carte dining, spa and helipad.

Hotel Skogar is an intimate, friendly hotel, right next to the world famous Skogarfoss waterfall and Hotel Ranga offers four-star luxury in stunning countryside and boasts membership of the prestigious Special Hotels of the World organisation.

For more information on All Season Hotels and South Iceland in general, visit www.allseasonhotels.is

Hrauneyjar is often described as the last outpost of civilisation – the place where the Highlands truly begin in all their stark, dangerous, enticing beauty. Accordingly, the Centre is home to the last fuel station, shop, cafe, hotel, guesthouse and tourist information office before reaching the North of Iceland, some 250 kilometres away over rough, unpaved terrain.

The Centre is only 150 kilometres from Reykjavik and accessible on paved roads all year round in any size vehicle. So while Hrauneyjar can be proud of its moniker of being on the very edge of civilisation, it is definitely still part of it.

Guests at Hotel Highland are able to enjoy a la carte restaurant service, luxury suites and a bar, just like back in the capital – but they also get stunning Highland views, outdoor and indoor hot pots and a sauna and solarium.

Visitors to the Hrauneyjar Guesthouse get a more simple service, including the option of sleeping bag accommodation, at low prices. But all guests are assured the same breathtaking Highland views, and the same range of activities, as well as the assistance of Hrauneyjar Highland Centre’s dedicated staff.

Hrauneyjar Highland Centre and Hotel Highland are ideally located within reach of the Southern Highlands’ greatest attractions, including Landmannalaugar and Mount Hekla, in one of the most spectacular and volcanic areas of Iceland.

For more information on Hotel Highland and Hrauneyjar Highland Centre, visit www.allseasonhotels.is

Hotel Skogar is a small luxury hotel located by the 60m Skogarfoss waterfall near Vik in south Iceland.

The hotel is popular with both foreign and Icelandic guests and is a favourite location for writers and travellers escaping to the countryside. It is also often used a wedding and honeymoon destination and a romantic retreat for couples.

For most of the year, Hotel Skogar is only available for groups and tours, but from 1st May to 1st October the hotel opens to individual members of the public. The hotel has 12 en-suite rooms, an outdoor sauna and hot tub area and a gourmet restaurant.

South Iceland is one of the most-visited areas of the country due to its proximity to Reykjavik and the number of activities on offer. Popular attractions include bird watching at the spectacular Dyrholaey ocean cliffs, walking or windsurfing on the black sand beaches at Vik and visiting the Myrdalsjokull glacier with a snowmobile, jeep or ice climbing tour.

Skogar is also one of the starting points of Iceland‘s most famous hike – the Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork walk – a 4 day route that takes hikers through some of Iceland’s most spectacular scenery.

Visit www.allseasonhotels.is for more information on Hotel Skogar and other luxury hotels in south Iceland.