Meradalir - Iceland’s 2022 Volcano

We had visited the Fagradalsfjall volcano twice during 2021 (see that gallery here) , and witnessing lava flow was a unique and powerful experience. By the end of 2021 that volcano faded. When we planned our 2022 trip to Iceland we were not expecting to have the opportunity to experience an eruption again, but we were dreaming about the possibility. We monitored the seismic activity that usually precedes an eruption, and we checked the local papers every so many weeks. When August 2022 was approaching tremors commenced near the old Fagradalsfjall eruption site. A new fissure opened up near the previous eruption site. We could not believe our luck. But the trip was planned, day by day along the south coast until reaching Vestrahorn on the southeast end. This time there was no plan to stay at Reykjavík. But we would never miss the volcano. We went straight from the airport upon landing. Meradalir did not disappoint. It was a longer hike, and there were way more people than the previous year. But it was easier to get closer to the fissure, which was lower than our vantage point. A different experience than the year before. We spent the rest of the trip thinking whether to leave earlier the last day, and make another stop at the volcano. The weather did not give us that chance.