- General information
- Major eruptions
- Lucky for tourists
- How to get there
Laki Volcano is a thyroid volcano located in the southern part of Iceland in the Skaftafell Park (since 2008 it is part of the Vatnajökull National Park).
General information
Laki is a chain of about 115 craters (some of them reach a height of about 818 m, but on average lava cones are no higher than 80-90 m), the length of which is 25 km.
The seismic system of the Laki volcano (its center is located on the Grimsvotn volcano) includes:
- Katla volcano: it reaches a height of more than 1500 m (caldera diameter - 10 km) and erupts every 40-80 years. In the southeast, the Katla volcano is overlapped by the Myrdalsjekudl glacier. In 2010, there was an increased volcanic activity in Katla, and in 2011, scientists recorded the movement of magma inside the vent, which was accompanied by tremors. A month later, the volcano erupted weakly, causing a flood (cracks appeared in the glaciers), as a result of which the bridge of the Mulakvisl River and some roads collapsed. There is an assumption that all these are prerequisites for the beginning of the active period of Katla volcano, which can lead to great destruction.
- Eldgja canyon (its width is about 600 m, and the depth is 150 m): the attraction of its northern part is the 2-step Oufairufoss waterfall (it is located on the Nyrðri-Ófær river). Despite the fact that in 1992-93 it lost its natural basalt bridge (the bridge was destroyed by a flood during the melting of ice), the waterfall is very beautiful - it is surrounded by massive stones overgrown with green moss, and its transparent waters fall into a natural niche, creating a mass splashing.
Major eruptions of Lucky volcano
A large eruption in the Lucky system is dated 934 - then he "threw out" about 20 cubic kilometers of lava. For 8 months (1783-1784) Laki and the neighboring volcano Grimsvotn erupted (6 points) - they "threw out" 15 cubic kilometers of basaltic lava (the lava flow flooded an area of 565 square kilometers). As a result, poisonous compounds of sulfur dioxide were in the air (they caused acid rains that irritated the skin of people and destroyed trees and shrubs) and fluorine - because of this, half of the livestock in Iceland died (many Icelandic pastures were covered with volcanic ash). In addition, the lava melted the ice, and the huge mass of water gushing out caused large-scale floods. Starvation exterminated 20% of the population.
The summer of 1783 turned out to be difficult for many regions of Europe and North America - a luminous fog descended on them, due to which the air temperature dropped in the entire Northern Hemisphere (by an average of 1.5 ° C), which in turn caused crop failure and hunger in Europe.
Lucky for tourists
About 8000 tourists visit the Lucky crater area annually during the summer. They are offered to get there by jeeps - the road (usually roads are open from early June to early autumn) will wind past the lava fields that appeared after the eruption of 1783-84. Then, having parked their jeeps below, the travelers will begin their ascent on foot.
Previously, once the crater ridge became public, there were no hiking trails and routes. Because of this, the already scarce soil cover was damaged (a walk on mosses "kills" them). Therefore, in order not to damage the uniqueness of these places, it is important, when reaching the craters, to move exclusively along marked paths. So, the path can be overcome along the path, 500 m long - it passes through one of the craters. But if you wish, you can make a choice in favor of a longer route (along the routes it is worth making stops next to information boards - having familiarized yourself with them, you will be able to learn more about the natural phenomena nearby).
In addition, nearby travelers will be able to discover the lake of the Tjarnargigur crater (the shores of the lake are "cut" with overgrown moss; they usually visit it on the way back).
It is worth noting that on the way to the volcano, travelers will come across the Fagrifoss waterfall - not far from it it is worth stopping to admire it from the side. Walking too close is not recommended, as you can fall off the steep slope and fall into the bubbling funnel.
How to get to Lucky volcano
For those traveling by car, the F206 road will lead to the volcano; the turn is located a little before reaching the village of Kirkjubajarkleistur. From Reykjavik you can take a bus in the direction of the city of Hebn to the national park (the journey will take about 5 hours). Then the travelers will have a tour to the volcano. It makes sense to contact the Skaftarstofa tourist center - there you will be offered to use the services of a ranger who will accompany you along the route and tell you a lot of interesting things about this area. If you wish, you can stay in the Blagil hut, which has a toilet and washbasin.
