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A scene of the volcano as we hike 
Lava that gives the scenery a Mars-like feel! 
As we near the crest of the adjacent mountain
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see something as spectacular as a volcano erupting right in front of my face, gaining power and intensity with every thrust of lava meters into the sky. In early March, one of the 130 “active” volcanoes in Iceland displayed just how active it is with an opening in the ground or fissure, allowing the flaming hot magma to burst into the sky in an unexpected manner. The reason why I say that this was somewhat unplanned, is because a volcano remains active for 15,000 years until it is considered completely inactive. Since Iceland is positioned on two tectonic plates (the North American plate and the Euro-Asian plate), there is approximately 1 eruption every 4 years. The plates are splitting 2cm each year, which causes the lava to take a path of least resistance and come up through the plates, which in turn increases volcanic activity on the island and is exactly how this volcano came to be.
Iceland 2.0 was planned because it is one of the few places open to Americans and that seems to be the safest regarding Covid, but it just so happens that the trip and the volcano eruption aligned perfectly! Since I was not sure about how to see a volcano, I set up a tour through Viator so I could gather all the necessary details to share with the world and to be as safe as possible around this powerful sight in nature. Our tour guide, Hilmer, was just as ecstatic to share this experience with us since the grandiosity of the volcano continues to increase with each day, week, and month. From Reykjavik, the drive is only 25 miles to the base of where you start to hike, but the volcano can be seen almost the entire drive! The hike up to the crest of the nearby mountain to watch this incredible sight is about 5 kilometers at a moderate difficulty-depending on the wind. Iceland is known for its ever-changing weather, with wind being a major player in daily activities. Thankfully, our group was only 8 people, ranging in age and physical abilities, and I am happy to report that everyone made it up the mountain and back down without any issues! From the beginning of the hike, the wind brings in a strong scent of sulfur and something that I could only compare to the smell of gunpowder, which increases with every step. Because of the magnitude of this volcano, the amount of smoke that is emitted with each thrust of lava is quite incredible to see, as its orange hue blends in with the clouds above; something you can see from miles away! There is not much scenery on the way up to the top since you are in the middle of a lava field, meaning little vegetation and almost zero animals. But when you finally come around a corner, the wind stops for a few moments, and you are faced with a fresh valley of lava with heat radiating off of it and a silence that is almost meditative.
When we finally reached the crest, I was completely stunned at the beauty and magnitude of Mother Nature! It was serendipitous! The eruptions are happening approximately every 15 minutes, but that time is becoming shorter and shorter as the lava gains more power from deep within the earth. We sat watching in awe for over an hour, but I think a day would not have been enough to take in all of the breathtaking views. Our guide made a very compelling statement before beginning our hike and it stuck with me-“don’t get caught up with your eye behind a lens or phone because a picture can never replace the memories made with the naked eye.” You feel torn between wanting to catch every moment in a picture or video, but don’t forget to sit and enjoy the moment with yourself and let it all sink in- you never know what you’re missing until you can indulge all your senses into the situation. Scientists have proof to believe this volcano could be erupting for a decade, but do not wait! Right now is the perfect time to head to Iceland and get to be one of the first to revel in the raw power of nature! Take this tour.
You can get so close to the show! 
Incredible!