Vik is directly south of Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which sits atop the Katla volcano.
The volcano last erupted in 1918, and if an eruption were to occur, it could melt enough of the glacier to trigger a flash flood and decimate the town.
Reyniskirkja Church is just high enough on its hill that it would be the only building to survive a flash flood.
As such, villagers are instructed to rush to the church at the first sign of an eruption.

I would like to recommend all my pbase friends to visit Vijay Nanda gallery of Iceland.
I met Vijay many years ago at the dog park and he now comes to our hospital with his adorable dog Chutkee.
Vijay is an amazing photographer and it turns out we were in Iceland during the same time period.
His gallery is wonderful and the drone shots are really something special.
Don’t stop at the Iceland gallery visit all his galleries, you’ll be glad you did!