Eldhraun Lava Field - 2015
This vast, 600 km², lava field was created during a catastrophic eruption between June 1783 and February 1784.
It is considered among the biggest and most poisonous eruptions of the earth during historical times.
The consequences were enormous. Almost half of the domestic animals and 20% of the human population perished as a result.
As Iceland was a part of the Danish Kingdom at the time, the Danish parliament debated the evacuation of the remaining 40,000 Icelanders
and relocating them to Jutland, but fortunately nothing came of that.
Most of the lava is now covered with woolly fringe moss.
In the background is the Mýrdalsjökull icecap which covers an active volcano called Katla.
This sign is a misnomer. There is a picnic table and seats, but no shady trees.
Except for trees that have been specially selected and planted in shelted areas, trees in Iceland only grow to 3 or 4 metres.
This vast, 600 km², lava field was created during a catastrophic eruption between June 1783 and February 1784.
It is considered among the biggest and most poisonous eruptions of the earth during historical times.
The consequences were enormous. Almost half of the domestic animals and 20% of the human population perished as a result.
As Iceland was a part of the Danish Kingdom at the time, the Danish parliament debated the evacuation of the remaining 40,000 Icelanders
and relocating them to Jutland, but fortunately nothing came of that.
Most of the lava is now covered with woolly fringe moss.
In the background is the Mýrdalsjökull icecap which covers an active volcano called Katla.
This sign is a misnomer. There is a picnic table and seats, but no shady trees.
Except for trees that have been specially selected and planted in shelted areas, trees in Iceland only grow to 3 or 4 metres.
