Trond Johansen – Nature & wildlife photographer, Sarpsborg

Iceland – Land of Fire, Ice and Northern Lights!

Photography and 4K nature films from Iceland by Trond Johansen – volcanic landscapes, northern lights, glaciers, waterfalls and the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010.

Powerful forces of nature – active volcanoes, steaming geysers, and daily earthquakes
The amazing Northern Lights – dancing across the Arctic skies in breathtaking colors
The unique way of life of its people – living in harmony with Iceland’s wild environment

Eyjafjallajökull 2010: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

One of my most unforgettable experiences was witnessing:

📍 The massive eruption of Eyjafjallajökull – the volcano that stopped global air travel
🌋 Being close to the eruption site – carefully balancing risk while capturing its raw power
☁️ Enormous ash clouds – rising thousands of meters, disrupting weather and aviation
⚡ Lightning in the ash clouds – a rare and eerie sight at night
🎥 Filming and photographing history in the making – a memory I will cherish forever

👉 Watch my Iceland 4K nature films and volcano videos on YouTube →

Iceland – Land of Fire, Ice and Northern Lights

Iceland – Land of Fire, Ice, and Northern Lights! This country fascinates me—not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its people and how they have adapted over centuries to life on an island shaped by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. For those who love diverse nature, photography, and landscapes that unleash immense forces—rich in colors and variations with glaciers, rivers, and waterfalls—Iceland is a destination I highly recommend.

Watch Iceland Nature & Volcano 4K

Eyjafjallajökull 2010 – Witnessing the Volcano Eruption

Eyjafjallajökull 2010 – Our Volcano Photography Trip to Iceland

My friend Geir and I traveled to Iceland several times, drawn by its extreme landscapes and natural forces. One of our most memorable trips was during the massive Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010, which sent an ash cloud high into the sky, disrupting air traffic across Europe.

We arrived on one of the last flights before much of the airspace was closed. Our goal was to witness and document the eruption through photography and film, while staying as safe as possible and respecting local advice and changing conditions.

The power of nature was overwhelming. The eruption created an enormous ash cloud, unstable weather and dramatic light over the Icelandic landscape. As night fell, lightning flashed inside the ash cloud — a surreal and haunting sight that made a deep impression.

The volcanic ash was also dangerous because it contained tiny, hard particles that could damage aircraft engines, affect people, animals and the surrounding environment.

This made the experience both fascinating and serious.

Through photos and video, we documented a once-in-a-lifetime experience from Iceland.

For me, this journey became one of my most important documentary nature experiences, alongside my travels to Tibet, the Himalayas and the Faroe Islands.

Explore photos and videos from my Eyjafjallajökull 2010 volcano experience →

- What is volcanic lightning?

- Eyjafjallajökull 2010 – heavy volcanic ash cloud

During a volcanic eruption, with a massive ash cloud, the weather can change rapidly

After speaking with knowledgeable locals, we decided to experience the eruption little more up close.

As we got closer—just 2-3 km from the eruption site—we had to continuously assess the risk, keeping a close eye on the volcano’s activity, the weather, and the rapidly changing ash cloud.

While we knew there would be some very small risk, our priority was to stay safe, especially considering the unpredictable weather and ash fall.

We made sure our car was fully fueled, packed with warm clothes, and equipped with necessary safety gear. To protect ourselves and our photo equipment, we used eye protection and planned our movements carefully.

Our car was quickly covered in ash and fine volcanic particles. Making it uncomfortable but necessary to keep the windows sealed on air-condition off.

Large areas, spanning several miles, were blanketed in ash and lava flows. Water flow in the surrounding areas became a significant concern, we saw ice blocks scattered for kilometers from the crater.

Local farmers with animals worked tirelessly, shoveling and clearing ash from their properties.

It was impressive to see how efficiently and calmly they mobilized. They were well-trained and prepared, handling the situation with remarkable resilience.