When Iceland’s Grímsvötn volcano, situated beneath Europe’s largest glacial mass, Vatnajökull, exploded on Saturday, 21 May. It made for dramatic viewing, with 200m of steam followed by ash and dust blown 20km into the air.
According to Manser’s PA, Shea van Tonder, "Manser and Skinstad are relieved to have not been in the path of Grímsvötn’s destruction, but are equally enthralled to have been able to witness an incredible act of nature such as this one."
The implications for these two adventurers’ Icelandic circumnavigation trip in their double kayak, is that "an eruption of this nature results in melting glacial water which flood river banks downstream and can prove highly dangerous and destructive to anything in its path. Fortunately for Manser and paddling partner Dan Skinstad, they were held up by bad weather and had not yet reached the numerous river mouths and estuaries below Vatnajökull glacier."
Manser and Skinstad, who started their 5000km journey mid-March, are currently staying in the town of Höfn below the Vatnajökull glacier, and sent the attached photos to the George Herald directly from Iceland.
"When the storms on the south coast ease up, they will continue their quest to circumnavigate the island by kayak, but for the moment it is exciting to be able to experience, for themselves, why Iceland is known as The Land of Fire and Ice."
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The landscape near Höfn about an hour after the Grímsvötn volcano erupted. One can see the dark ash cloud filling the sky.
(Photos: Around Iceland Media)
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Riaan blowing volcanic ash from an Icelandic police car.
ARTICLE: LEEANNE PRATT
