Miki Spitzer, an Israeli nature and landscape photographer, recently fulfilled an old dream by capturing a photo of a volcanic eruption in Iceland alongside the Aurora Borealis natural phenomenon.
"I saw the volcanic eruption straight from the airport and the Northern Lights joined the spectacle with perfect timing," Miki shared in a conversation with Ynet. After a short drive, Miki arrived at the spot where he took the photo.
"I patiently waited in the cold night for the Northern Lights to move toward the volcanic eruption, and then it happened – a combination of the lights and the fire. It was truly a dream come true," he said.
The volcano in question is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, about a ten-minute drive from the airport of the capital city, Reykjavik. The volcano began erupting on August 22, for the sixth time since December following a series of earthquakes in the area, attracting many travelers and tourists.
Although Iceland experiences regular eruptions due to its active geological conditions, the Reykjanes Peninsula's volcanoes have been dormant for 800 years. Seeing its last volcanic era lasted for centuries, experts believe the current volcanic activity could mark the beginning of another long eruption period.
"Iceland is a fascinating country," Spitzer said. "This is my 14th trip here. It has unique nature and landscapes." Last March, Spitzer won first place in the World Nature Photography Awards' Nature Art category with a photo he took in Iceland. He submitted an aerial shot of yellow river flows he captured during one of his trips to the island nation in the North Atlantic.
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Spitzer's winning photograph in the World Nature Photography Awards
(Photo: World Nature Photography Awards 2024 / MIKI SPITZER)
"The melting icebergs create massive rivers flowing to the ocean," Spitzer told Ynet after his win. "I sent up a drone to a certain location amid strong winds, to take this wonderful picture in which people see the image of an elephant or a lion, a dragon or a flower," he said.
"Many have asked why I return there again and again so the truth is I've become addicted," he said. "With spectacular volcanos, giant icebergs, black beaches, strong wind northern lights and thousands of waterfalls, Iceland is like a different planet."