Look at These Incredible Close-Ups of a Volcanic Eruption in Iceland

Heavy activity in the northern half of the fissure sent a white plumb some 15,000 feet into the sky and pushed lava across the cold sand below. Bardarbunga, Sept. 1.

Look at These Incredible Close-Ups of a Volcanic Eruption in Iceland

Bardarbunga rests on the edge of the Vatnajökull ice cap

“We flew as close as we possibly could — and legally permitted.”

TIME | 1 September 2014

The lava-producing fissure eruption began on Aug. 31, but part of it was already extinct the next day. Bardarbunga, Sept. 1.

Much of the eruption plume is water vapor. Bardarbunga, Sept. 1.

A pulled-back view of the lava flow and massive plumb of water vapor. Bardarbunga, Sept. 1.

Individual craters, made of lava spatter and scoria around each vent, line the active fissure. Bardarbunga, Sept. 1.

A close-up view of the lava flow and massive plumb of water vapor. Bardarbunga, Sept. 1.