Gallery: Incredible Close-Up Drone Video of an Erupting Volcano in Iceland

  • Image may contain Outdoors Nature Mountain Vehicle Transportation Helicopter Aircraft Fire Forest Fire and Eruption
    Eric Cheng
    01

    ragnarTh-Holuhraunseldar-20 sept 2014-695

    A DJI Phantom 2 quadcopter with GoPro camera flying near the eruption at Holuhraun lava field, near the Bardarbunga volcanic system in Iceland
  • Image may contain Outdoors Nature Mountain Eruption Volcano and Lava
    Eric Cheng
    02

    echeng140920-video015

    Aerial image of the eruption in Iceland's Holuhran lava field near the Bardarbunga volcanic system. Screenshot from video taken using DJI Phantom 2 and GoPro.
  • Image may contain Mountain Outdoors Nature Flame Bonfire Fire Eruption Volcano and Lava
    Eric Cheng
    03

    echeng140920-video016

    Aerial image of the eruption in Iceland's Holuhran lava field near the Bardarbunga volcanic system. Screenshot from video taken using DJI Phantom 2 and GoPro.
  • Image may contain Human Person Nature and Outdoors
    Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson
    04

    ragnarTh-Holuhraunseldar-20 sept 2014-302

    Eric Cheng flies a DJI Phantom 2 well out of visual range, using a Lightbridge wireless HD video link and Atomos Ninja Blade display and video recorder to monitor his flight.
  • Image may contain Mountain Outdoors Nature Eruption Volcano Lava Flame Bonfire and Fire
    Eric Cheng
    05

    echeng140920-video014

    Aerial image of the eruption. Screenshot from video taken using DJI Phantom 2 and GoPro.
  • Image may contain Nature Outdoors Night and Aurora
    Eric Cheng
    06

    echeng140920-235635

    A rare view of the Holuhraun volcano eruption with simultaneous northern lights (aurora borealis) in the sky. Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Automobile Car Human Person Tire Wheel Machine and Offroad
    Eric Cheng
    07

    echeng140921-020547

    Cinematographer Valdimar Leifsson's bumper fell off of his car while driving the harsh, unpaved roads leading to the Holuhraun volcano eruption. Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland.
  • Image may contain Mountain Outdoors Nature Volcano Eruption and Lava
    Eric Cheng
    08

    echeng140920-video004

    Aerial image of the eruption. Screenshot from video taken using DJI Phantom 2 and GoPro.
  • Image may contain Electronics Camera and Digital Camera
    Eric Cheng
    09

    echeng140920-214416

    The front of Eric Cheng's GoPro melted when exposed to the extreme head of the volcanic eruption. The GoPro stopped working, mid-flight, and Eric relied on an autonomous return system to retrieve his quadcopter.
  • Image may contain Mountain Outdoors Nature Volcano Eruption Art and Painting
    Eric Cheng
    10

    echeng140920-video012

    Aerial image of the eruption. Screenshot from video taken using DJI Phantom 2 and GoPro.
  • Image may contain Wood Plywood Human Person Furniture Table Coffee Cup Cup and Desk
    Eric Cheng
    11

    echeng140919-222216

    Vilhjalmur Vernhardsson (Villi), the owner of guesthouse Mödrudalur, helps to plan the long day ahead of us at the volcano.
  • Image may contain Mountain Outdoors Nature Volcano and Eruption
    Eric Cheng
    12

    Holuhraun eruption, Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland.

    Eruption at Holuhraun lava field in Iceland's Bardarbunga volcanic system.
Read More
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Greens Powders for Drinking Your Veggies
I did the research and taste-testing to find the best greens powders worth your money. Bloom Nutrition’s Superfood Greens Powder is my tried-and-true pick.
Louryn Strampe
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Mattresses You Can Buy Online in 2026
WIRED has tested 100-plus bed-in-a-box mattresses for a week each. Our top pick, the Helix Midnight Luxe hybrid, is the best bed you can buy online.
Julia Forbes
The Best Qi2 and MagSafe Wireless Chargers for Your Phone
Top up your Qi2 Android phone or MagSafe iPhone with a magnetic wireless charging stand, pad, car charger, or power bank.
Simon Hill
20 Best Gifts for Men, Manly Men, and Menly Man Men
When you need something that’s as mannishly masculinized as you can get for the Man™ in your life, we have you covered.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Drip Coffee Makers Now Rival Café Pour-Over
The old-fashioned drip coffee maker has come a long way. These impressive machines can turn your barista into a stranger.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes for Any Adventure
From strenuous hikes and serious summits to weekend rambles in the park, these boots help you make the most of your time outdoors.
Chris Haslam
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Portable Power Stations for Blackouts, Camping, or Van Life
Whether you’re going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.
Simon Hill
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
I Tried 12 of the Most Popular Indoor Gardening Systems
Grow a backyard’s worth of greens and vegetables in your house with a vertical hydroponic garden. Here are a few that might be worth the investment.
Kat Merck