Photographer Braves Volcanic Lava for Once-in-a-Lifetime Images

In case you weren't aware, there's a volcanic eruption taking place in Iceland. The Brarbunga volcano in the Holuhraun lava field began its flair-up on August 29, and by the beginning of September was spewing hundreds of cubic meters of lava. This stunning scene has produced some breath-taking images for Icelandic photographer and Guide to Iceland co-founder Iurie Belegurschi. He was brave enough to travel near the action and snap these beautiful pictures.

The photos show a fissure that's nearly 2 miles in length with lava reaching heights of about 500 feet in the air. Belegurschi got close enough to experience the intensity firsthand; he reports feeling the heat from the volcano on his skin. The journey was well worth it, and the result is a collection of once-in-a-lifetime images (the last eruption was in 1910!) that showcase fiery oranges and reds juxtaposed with dark rocks and a lot of thick smoke. They remind us of Earth's natural beauty as well as its great power.

Iurie Belegurschi website
Photos via Guide to Iceland
via [PetaPixel and Global Volcanism Program]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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