Latest news with #Reykjavik
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
I tried the unusual ‘midnight race' where the sun never sets – along with insane whale-watching and thermal baths
THE sun beams down on me as I run along the path. It's a beautiful running track, a little stream gurgles to my left, purple flowers and gorgeous greenery standing out against the bright blue sky as I sweat it out along with 2,500 other runners. 3 3 I look down at my watch to check my pace and notice the time – 10.30pm. Hang on. My bedtime is 10pm, what am I doing? I should explain. I'm in Iceland, where in the summer, there is almost 24 hours of sunlight every day. As a keen runner, I signed up to the Suzuki Midnight run to take on the summer solstice challenge and I'm in good company with more than 2,600 fellow runners. I meet a self-described 'little old lady' from Canada who wanted to explore Iceland for her 70th birthday and take on the run, an Aussie couple lining up for their race photo and a gaggle of Irish women who are raising cash for a pal with cancer. I've elected to do the 10km but you can sign up to the 5km or even push yourself to complete the 21km. And while I'm normally a morning runner, there's something fun about taking on this midnight challenge. As the race gun goes off, I soak up the sunshine and the gorgeous views. Afterwards, I'm met with an electrolyte drink and medal, and I'm swept up in the crowd of locals heading straight to the thermal pools to soak their tired muscles. Iceland also has plenty of other activities for any non-runners, thanks to its jaw-dropping nature. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival The afternoon before the race, I spent two hours whale watching, spotting humpbacks and minkes. Gearing up in a thick red suit and strapping on a life vest, I jump onto the RIB. Soon, we're heading out on to the open Atlantic. Suddenly, our boat veers to the left – our skipper has spotted something. The boat's engine is cut and the air is still with anticipation. 'Fwissshhhhhh'. Everyone jumps at the sound and turns to the right – there a massive humpback whale has breached out of the water, rolling its body along the surface. 3 It circles the boat, breaking the surface of the water several times until, with a final flick of its tail, it disappears into the depths. We spend two hours out on the water, spotting half a dozen humpbacks and even an elusive minke on the trip. We are also delighted to spot hundreds of puffins flying around a small island off the coast of Iceland's capital. It's a world away from the UK, despite being just a three-hour flight from London with Play Airlines. Later that night, as I finally drift off to sleep in my hotel room, the sky outside is still bright. My muscles might be a little sore, and my internal clock utterly confused, but it was definitely an adventure worth staying up past my bedtime.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Iceland, EU to Start Talks on Security and Defense Partnership
By and Jorge Valero Save Iceland will start talks with the European Union on a defense partnership as part of its tightening relationship with the trade bloc. The talks on the partnership, which would cover cooperation on critical infrastructure, dual-use defense investments and hybrid threats, are expected to be concluded by the end of the year, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters in Reykjavik on Thursday, confirming earlier reports.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Bloomberg
Why Do Iceland's Volcanoes Keep Erupting, and How Dangerous Are They?
Repeated volcanic eruptions have rocked southwestern Iceland since December 2023, and the island's inhabitants are getting used to the sight of lava spewing near populated areas. For the wider world, the eruptions have rekindled memories of the Eyjafjallajokull explosion of 2010, when vast volcanic ash clouds grounded air traffic across Europe for weeks. Scientists say the recent bout of heightened volcanic activity in the country known as 'the land of fire and ice' may go on for centuries. Yes and no. While the country experiences a volcanic eruption every five years on average — of varying nature, size and scope — the current series of eruptions is something even Icelanders aren't used to. The ground has ripped open 12 times since 2021 in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Hardly any of the previous eruptions had taken place in or near inhabited areas. This time around, the fishing community of Grindavik, which was home to almost 3,700 people, has been devastated. The glow in the sky from lava gushing out of the ground is now sometimes visible to residents of the capital, Reykjavik.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Tourists evacuated after Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula hit by 9th eruption since 2023
Tourists and locals have been evacuated on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula after the twelfth volcanic eruption in the region since 2021. The eruption began around 4 am on Wednesday following an intense seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, Iceland's Met Office (IMO) said. Magma pushed up through the Earth's crust, opening a fissure near Sundhnúkur crater, thought to be between 700 and 1,000 metres long. It belched columns of smoke into the air, and dramatic lava flows can be seen in images of the eruption. On Wednesday evening, the IMO said that while the eruption at Sundhnúksgígar fissure continued, seismic activity had decreased since the morning. The biggest threat to inhabited areas is now from gas emissions and wildfires, which are contributing to local air pollution. Related Lava hotlines and captivating infernos: Inside the volatile world of volcano tourism in Iceland It comes after an eruption in April this year breached protective barriers near the fishing town of Grindavik, causing emergency services to evacuate residents and tourists staying at the Blue Lagoon Spa. Tourists and residents evacuated Lava is flowing to the southeast, meaning the eruption doesn't threaten any infrastructure at this time, the IMO said in a statement, and there is currently no threat to populated areas. 'Based on GPS measurements and deformation signals, it is likely that this was a relatively small eruption.' Despite this, civil defence teams evacuated people from nearby sites as a precaution. Around 100 residents were cleared from the town of Grindavík. Due to ongoing volcanic activity, the town has remained mostly deserted since its nearly 4,000 residents were evacuated in 2023. Tourists were also evacuated from a campsite in Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon - a five-star hotel resort famous for its geothermal spa, according to Iceland's public broadcaster RUV. Margrét Kristín Pálsdóttir, a local police commissioner, said the evacuation went smoothly and lasted about 90 minutes. 'Of course, people have different opinions on whether the evacuation is necessary, but it is a decision we make and take responsibility for,' she said. The police commissioner also added that some tourists had been prevented from entering the area. "Of course, we understand that this is a fascinating event, especially for tourists who are not as accustomed to it as we are." Residents of Grindavík were allowed back into the town on Wednesday evening. The Blue Lagoon and Northern Light Inn have reopened, but tourists and the general public are not permitted to enter Grindavík. Have flights been impacted by the eruption? Flights at the nearby Keflavik airport in the capital of Reykjavik have not been impacted by the volcanic eruption. With 33 active volcanic systems, Iceland is often referred to as the land of ice and fire. It has recorded a dozen volcanic eruptions since geological systems on its Reykjanes Peninsula reactivated four years ago after an 800-year dormancy. Experts say these eruptions in the area could continue for decades or even centuries as part of a new volcanic cycle. Related Air traffic strikes and staffing gaps: Can the EU fix Europe's summer of travel chaos? Unlike the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which grounded planes across Northern Europe for almost a week, this recent string of eruptions on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula has not ejected large volumes of ash into the stratosphere. This means that air traffic hasn't been disrupted. Volcanic ash is dangerous for aeroplanes because it can cause engine failure and damage to various important aircraft components. Solve the daily Crossword
The National
3 days ago
- The National
Iceland volcano eruption forces residents and spa tourists to be evacuated
Dramatic pictures show lava spewing into the air as a volcano erupted in south-western Iceland. The seismic activity took place on the Reykjanes Peninsula south-west of capital Reykjavik on Wednesday at about 4am, Iceland's Met Office said. It forced residents and tourists at the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa to be evacuated, the national broadcaster RUV reported. About 100 people were evacuated from the nearby town of Grindavik. Tourists at a campsite and guests at the Blue Lagoon were also forced to leave, RUV reported. Police commissioner Margret Palsdottir told AP the evacuation went smoothly and lasted about 90 minutes. 'Of course, people have different opinions on whether the evacuation is necessary, but it is a decision we make and take responsibility for,' she said. Lava from the eruption continued to flow south-east from a fissure of 700 to 1,000 metres wide but was not threatening infrastructure, the Met Office said. Grindavik has been affected by activity since November 2023 when a volcano came to life after lying dormant for 800 years. Watch: Reykjanes volcano eruption in August 2024
