Ruptures Form At Popular Icelandic Tourist Site

Dangerous cracks have formed in the earth at the popular tourist site Ketubjörg overlooking Skagafjörður cliffs, increasing the risk for rock slides, reports RÚV.

The earth at the tourist lookout point has cracked open and it is feared that a large chunk of the cliffside may break off and plummet to the ground below at any moment. Tourists are advised to exercise caution or avoid any area where ruptures are visible.

Local farmer, Ingólfur Sveinsson, says cracks in the cliffside are common and occur every few years. The rift around the tourist lookout point only just began forming a month ago but is already close to breaking away entirely which Ingólfur says shows just how much the earth is moving in the area.

Ingólfur, who volunteered for Iceland’s Search and Rescue for 40 years, adds that he is worried about tourists who may not be aware of the danger because there are no signs or warning notices.

Recently Ingólfur witnessed a family of five clambering around the rift. Worried others may get the same idea and subsequently get hurt, he informed the police who have since sectioned off the more dangerous spots around the cliffside.

Still, a good rule of thumb for travellers is that if the earth has cracked open, just stay away from it, even if there are no signs warning you of it.

Many popular nature sites and tourist spots in Iceland are not manned or signposted, so it is important to err on the side of caution when interacting with it.

Always be sure someone knows where you are going, when to expect you back, and that you are able to contact emergency services in case of an incident. Check out Iceland’s Search and Rescue site, Safe Travel, for crevasse maps, weather warnings, travel warnings and helpful tips.