Krafla

Krafla
65°44′0″N, 16°47′0″W

Krafla refers most generally to a volcanic region Northeast of Lake Mývatn. A series of rifts rather than a typical volcano cone, it last erupted in the 1980s. A geothermal power station is strategically situated on the lower slopes to harness the energy from below. A popular subject for photographs, I made my own images of this station at various times of day and night.

The more typically active area is located on the ridge above the power station. There are several calderas, such as the large Viti explosion crater where volcanic drama took place. One particular explosion was caused by the drilling of a borehole that sent equipment flying miles away. Thankfully not when I was there!

Stones From Krafla Lava Field

While hiking in region, it was eerie to think that the whole area is basically one large volcano. I opted not to spend the night there…one can see evidence of geological activity quite literally, where the ground has split or rifted apart. I was able to make some photographs of this. Another interesting area is the Leirhnjúkur sulfur pot…which looks like something from the surface of Venus. The steaming blue water was quite beautiful set against the yellow sulfurous crust. With its isolation I found Leirhnjúkur much more dramatic than Námaskarð.



Krafla 65°44′0″N, 16°47′0″W Krafla refers most generally to a volcanic region Northeast of Lake Mývatn. A series of rifts rather than a typical volcano cone, it last erupted in the 1980s. A geothermal power station is strategically situated on the lower slopes to harness the energy from below. A popular subject for photographs, I made my own images of this station at various times of day and night. The more typically active area is located on the ridge above the power station. There are several calderas, such as the large Viti explosion crater where volcanic drama took place. One particular explosion was caused by the drilling of a borehole that sent equipment flying miles away. Thankfully not when I was there! Stones From Krafla Lava Field While hiking in region, it was eerie to think that the whole area is basically one large volcano. I opted not to spend the night there…one can see evidence of geological activity quite literally, where the ground has split or rifted apart. I was able to make some photographs of this. Another interesting area is the Leirhnjúkur sulfur pot…which looks like something from the surface of Venus. The steaming blue water was quite beautiful set against the yellow sulfurous crust. With its isolation I found Leirhnjúkur much more dramatic than Námaskarð.