When you think of lava, you might think of red-hot molten rock oozing, if not pouring, down the sides of an erupting volcano. When you think of basalt – a cooled, solid-rock version of lava (admittedly, most non-geologists would probably NOT be thinking of basalt, ordinarily) – you would probably think it’s colouring to be on the brown and on the boring side of life.
No so, just down the drag from Hell, at Leirhnjúkur (Clay Peak).
Clay Peak Panorama
Here, the rocks are still warm (the last lava flow, and the blackest of them all, was in 1984), the vents are still steaming and the mud-pots are still bubbling away. It is the very epitome of a post-apocalyptic landscape.
Clay Peak MudPots
We, along with all the other visitors, picked our way along the narrow, winding pathways through interesting formations to get a closer look at Iceland’s youngest lava flow.
Mudpot viewing deck
End of the Flow
Volcanic vent
Ropy Lava
Lava half-pipe
Lava pipes
A look Inside a lava pipe
Colourful standing wave
Red-Hot Lava (not molten, but not cold to touch either!)
Peering into a steaming vent
Larger Steaming Vent
Steam mingles in with the clouds
River of Black Lava
New flow on old
Looking upstream of a vegetated lava flow
As much as I enjoyed this Geological field trip, I must admit that after this day (bearing in mind we visited Hell and Hverir earlier THE SAME DAY) I was starting to get a little overwhelmed and somewhat fatigued by all the sulphurous fumes. I know my sister was itching to get somewhere more glacial, but we had a ways to go yet before we reached snow and ice…
Lava Flows Panorama
Amazing photos!!
Thanks!
This really is the most amazing landscape!
It is rather spectacular. I think I am still somewhat overwhelmed by it all!
Great photos who show the diversity of colours very good. Thanks for sharing!
Always great to get your feedback – thank you
Amazing photos! This is probably a stupid question – and I may have missed it in the text – but how do the lava pipes stay “open”?
Am reading a book set in Iceland at the moment, so your series is giving me a wonderful visual of the landscapes there.
Hi Lisa, nope – you didn’t miss any explanations (an unfortunate oversight on my part – and thank you for bringing it to my attention. I shall have to insert one!)
Basically, when lava flows – the outer surface cools much more rapidly than the inner material, so that over time it forms a skin, or tube, which then solidifies. The hot lava pouring through the inside of the tube stays hot and runny – as it is now insulated from the cold air. When the volcano stops erupting, the last of the lava will still travel down through the inside of the tube to its final destination leaving behind a hollow pipe (mostly found closer to the source of the eruption). I hope that explains it!??
Ah, yes thanks, that explains it well. Now I have another question . . . Would lava ever flow down a cooled down pipe again – like the one in your photo (the one you captioned “A look Inside a lava pipe”)? Or does the lava just find new places to flow?
It might do. If another eruption occurs at the same site, then old channels that are not blocked will be useful as “paths of least resistance” as lava flows down hill.
Iceland truly is a land of ice and fire!
It surely is…
Wow, so unreal looking!
It is rather surreal, isn’t it?
Amazing! Love Iceland, love your posts, love amazing photos! Thank you!
Ann
Thanks Ann
wow – what colour. that is so neat Lu and great shots!
Thanks Sheila, I never imagined I’d see colours like this in basalt, so it was a pretty cool experience!
I absolutely enjoyed looking through all of your photos on this post. I am a fan of art and picture taking and nature in general. I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland, but never had the chance or opportunity like most people. I have however been to France and Italy which has many beautiful sights as well. Please keep posting awesome pictures!
Thank you for your kind comments! I’m trying to keep posting, but life keeps getting in the way
Cool photos Lu, very majestic! I visited Iceland once, but didn’t get to see a few things that I would have liked to. It is a truly beautiful place though. Thanks for the pictures!