Centuries ago, Icelanders believed that volcanic flares were human souls, hurled from the inferno. Even today, folk tales speak of elves who skulk among the lava fields, jealously guarding the land.
In Iceland’s northern interior, where stagnant pools belch sulphurous gas and volcanic debris is scattered across plains, these myths are especially dark. Fables passed down orally through generations describe the Krafla volcano as a portal to hell. In fact, it’s where the devil landed after being expelled from heaven.
Today, Krafla broods quietly, its 10km-wide caldera sitting along the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the seam dividing Iceland between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. But Krafla was not always so calm. This year marks 40 years since the 1975 start of the Krafla fires, a nine-year period of extraordinary geological activity in which nine huge eruptions occurred, plumes of lava burst from 1,138m-deep fissures and an enormous magma chamber formed.
Visit Iceland, a mysterious land, will give you a strange and curious feeling. At this place, tourists will be experienced wonderful and spectacular landscapes. Walking along river bank or in deep forests makes you feel exciting and keen on exploring more.
Centuries ago, Icelanders believed that volcanic flares were human souls, hurled from the inferno. Even today, folk tales speak of elves who skulk among the lava fields, jealously guarding the land.
In Iceland’s northern interior, where stagnant pools belch sulphurous gas and volcanic debris is scattered across plains, these myths are especially dark. Fables passed down orally through generations describe the Krafla volcano as a portal to hell. In fact, it’s where the devil landed after being expelled from heaven.
Today, Krafla broods quietly, its 10km-wide caldera sitting along the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the seam dividing Iceland between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. But Krafla was not always so calm. This year marks 40 years since the 1975 start of the Krafla fires, a nine-year period of extraordinary geological activity in which nine huge eruptions occurred, plumes of lava burst from 1,138m-deep fissures and an enormous magma chamber formed.
