Fridrik Pálsson, owner of luxury Hotel Rangá close to the eruption in Fimmvörduháls, says that his phone has not stopped since the eruption started. “I was at a convention in Hólmavík on the West fjords last night when a staff member at the hotel called me to tell me that an eruption had started.

Hotel

“People are calling us from near and far. Many scientists want to know how close they can get to the area, if they can rent planes or helicopters, etc.”
Pálsson says that even though the road to the area is closed, police allow hotel guests to pass through. But what about vacancies at the hotel, if people want to get close to the scene?
“We have been packed in recent weeks, but for some odd coincidence we have space this week. But if the number of phone calls I receive are any indication those will be filled soon” Pálsson says.

"One last question. What was the convention in Hólmavík that you had to leave so abruptly about?"
"On humor. And unlike most such scholarly work on wit, it was quite entertaining," Pálsson says.