Video shows lava breaking out of the ground and reaching impressive heights before falling to the ground forming rivers

Sep 20, 2014 23:57 GMT  ·  By

A volcanic eruption is ongoing in Iceland, and the sight of lava breaking free from the underground and reaching impressive heights before finally falling to the ground and forming rivers is nothing short of impressive.

If you don't believe me, just have a look at the video below to see for yourself. The footage made it online just yesterday, and it offers an aerial view of the lava fountains that are now busy reshaping Iceland.

Researchers in charge of keeping a close eye on this volcanic eruption say that the source of the lava is the Holuhraun field, which is part and parcel of the country's remote Bárðarbunga volcanic system.

It is understood that the fissure behind this event has until now produced more lava than any other volcano in Iceland has over the course of the past century. What's more, scientists say that lava could keep spewing out of this crack for about a year.

Not at all surprisingly, the region where this volcanic eruption is taking place is now blanketed by a thick layer of ash. All sorts of compounds are swirling in the air, and not too long ago, poisonous sulfur dioxide tornadoes were documented in the area.

The good news is that, as scary as the sight of these lava fountains and their accompanying ash clouds might be, the eruption itself is not all that dangerous. This is because the lava is emerging from a fissure and not from a proper volcano.