The superb volcanic land of Iceland transports those who dare to reach it to another planet, which we discover sometimes with black and hostile lava, sometimes softened by erosion. Covered by numerous volcanoes, nearly 200 of which are active, Iceland is riddled with babbling waterfalls, rounded calderas, stretching lava flows and cliffs over the ocean. The soils on the volcanic slopes are fertile, and the welcome geothermal energy creates hot springs, pools and natural lagoons that are loved by locals and tourists alike.
Take an open pit geology course
Furious and rhetorical, Iceland fascinates as much as it questions, precisely because it touches on another time, the origin of the world. The first source of life and matter takes us back to geological times while remaining in eternal activity. Another source of wonder, Iceland hosts most of the famous volcanic morphologies. Consists of several layers of lava accumulated during successive eruptions stratovolcanoes form a cone of relatively high height, recognizable from a distance. It shield volcanoes On the contrary, a vast cone with a large crater formed by a single eruption, often violent.
It calderas draw large circular depressions bounded by pronounced rock, and the tuyas are almost cylindrical mountains, the rocks of which are nearly vertical. To look closely at the landscape is to learn to recognize it in Icelandic ways; geography and geology teach us a new language.
Climb Katla, the terrifying stratovolcano
In 2022, the volcano that questions, fascinates and surprises the most is Katla, whose name means “kettle”. subglacial stratovolcano located a few kilometers from Vik (2 hours drive from Reykjavík), it is considered one of the most active. and devastating in Iceland. And for good reason, it lies beneath the Myrdalsjökull glacier (600 km² in area) northwest of Vik and in itself shows the power and scale of the phenomena involved; 200 600 m from ice; its caldera is 14 kilometers long, 10 kilometers wide and 750 meters deep. The eruption is expected to send a flood of mud and gravel miles into the ocean. Any idea about the flow? 100,000 m3: per second. Simply immeasurable. Knowing that these great cataclysms are characteristic of the country’s history, the population and the government are ready to evacuate at any moment.
Discover volcanic wonders By Vic
The volcanic landscape around Katla is awe-inspiring. We admire Seljalandsfoss waterfalls Where? SkogafossAt 65m tall, it’s easy to believe you’re on the moon, surrounded by expanses of rock and black sand, and delights in recognizing the legendary Icelanders in the landscape. What are we talking about? Trolls that Icelanders take very seriously.
On Reynisfjara black sand beachThe basalt rock formations called Rhaenysdrangar that jut out of the ocean are said by legend to be trolls who trapped the first light of the sun and turned to stone as they tried to ground passing ships. It’s hard to imagine the size of the lava flow that formed the beach, the force of the magma that absorbed the old rocks to cut the ocean. From this place you can make out neither the spring nor the volcano, and yet here is all the tenfold power of Katla, the sleeping giant.
We radiate around Vic, where nature is exceptional. The more adventurous will take the footpath that climbs along Skógafoss to reach the plateau between Eyjafjáljökull (E15) and Katla volcanoes. Adrenaline levels rise when you hike about ten kilometers on the Sólheimajökull glacier, an accessible glacial tongue that flows from the massive Mýrdalsjökull ice cap, home to the Katla volcano. Armed with helmets, crampons and ice axes by the experts offering this expedition, we explore the ice, which is carved with canyons, crevasses and other caves. Some ice walls can also be climbed with guides. As you gain altitude, the panorama unfolds. Breathtaking.
See also: – “Seeing this was the goal of life.” The eruption of a volcanic fissure fascinates tourists in Iceland
Practical information
The best time to visit Iceland is outside the tourist peaks. The country is fascinating whatever the season, but we avoid July and August when many American and European tourists flock. Aurora lovers will choose the heart of winter, where the nights are (very) short and the temperature often prohibitive.
To go The national airline Icelandair offers daily flights (1 to 3) from CDG and two weekly flights in the summer from Nice. www.icelandair.com
For more information:visiticeland.com
Source: Le Figaro
