Authorities closed down Thórsmörk valley to traffic because of the danger of flash flooding down the Gígjökull glacier.

A lot of water seems to be sitting in the crater of Eyjafjallajökull glacier and this water is bound to burst down the Gígjökull glacier sooner or later. These  waters will surge into the Markarfljót river which runs down Thórsmörk valley.

According to Kjartan Thorkelsson, chief of police in Rangárvallasýsla county, it is uncertain how vast the floods will be and so authorities have decided err on the side of caution and close Thórsmörk to visitors.

Thórsmörk nature reserve, a valley which sits between glaciers, is one of the most scenic spots in the country. It was also the scene of the Fimmvörduháls eruption which occurred on the mountain ridge above the valley, creating spectacular lava flows which ran over the ravines and into Thórsmörk.

The location attracts thousands of visitors every summer, many of whom camp and hike over the stunning highland trails.