Day 5 of trip Day 4 of BackRoads-Akureyri

Akureyri was settled in the 9th C. The town was the site for Allies during WWII and was used for an airbase. Relatively mild temperatures.  The weather for all of our days has been pleasant: 50-60 degrees and becoming sunny after morning clouds.  This weather is going to be changing soon.
We traveled through a 7 km new tunnel. During construction, the workers hit thermal springs that contained 160 degree water.  The water had to be redirected, and a new waterfall appeared.


Haverfjall Caldera overlooks Lake My’vatn, “Lake of Midges" because of the abundance of the insect, but which in turn feed the fish and ducks on the Lake.



Lava Fields-2.5 million years ago when the Hverfjall Caldera erupted.



Beginning the climb to the top of the Hverfjall Caldera



We first climbed to the top and then hiked around the entire rim.




Surrounding mountains and thermal activity




Grjotagja Cave had a hot-water spring that people bathed in until 1975 when the Fires of Krafla occurred and the water temperature increased to 60° C. The water remains around 46° C.  Krafla was a fisure eruption.
Islanders believe trolls live in caves so avoid them.


The water inside Grjotagja Cave reflect blue light beautifully.


In 1783 a 25-mile long fissure cut across the landscape exposing 130 craters and the resulting lava covered 300 square miles. The Grjotagja cave is part of the fissure.


Looking down into the fissure


Plant Life growing on lava rock


Table Top Mountains-when a volcano erupts, the pressure of the glacier keeps the lava from escaping so flattened the top of the mountain and layers the lava.




Godefoss Waterfall-its origin is the Skja’fandafljo’t River that flows from waters of the Vatnajὄ glacier
Godefoss-“waterfall of the gods”-name originated in 1000AD when Porgeir Ljo’svetningagooi’, the chieftain who lived on the farm Ljo’safatn threw pagan gods in the waterfall.

Skja’fandafljo’t River


 Godafoss (Waterfall of the Gods)


Closer View


Godafoss from a higher position with the Skja’fandafljo’t River flowing into the fall.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Trip Day 6, Day 5 Sey₫isfjὄ₫ur

Image
We have been traveling from Reykjavik, north to the western fjords, to Grimsey on the Artic Circle, down to Akureyri still in the north. The Captain told us yesterday that the weather was going to start getting rough, and he might have to change the course.  On Sunday night as we left Akureyri, he met with the passengers, showed us weather maps, and explained the change of course.  The winds and swells continue to increase on the east and south sides of Iceland.  We made Sey₫isfjὄ₫ur, but then began to retrace our route around the north and west of Iceland.  We will miss Heimaey Island located in the Westmannaeyjar archipelago off southern Iceland. Where the red shade on the east/south side, the swells would be more than 15 ft. high and the winds around 15+ knots. Sey₫isfjὄ₫ur is Iceland's most picturesque town with many of the old Norwegian-style houses well-preserved and painted bright colors.  Founded in 1848, it is situation on the easte...
Read more

Day 7 BackRoads Day 6-day at Sea

Because of the weather as explained in an earlier post, we had to turn back after Seydisfjordur.  The waves were quite rough until we passed the Western Fjords and the winds were then behind us.  So no pictures. I am placing some Iceland and Viking information here. …”Chasing Ice” –(photographer)-excellent documentary about glaciers and their disappearance. Mid-Atlantic Ridge-spreads 2.5 cm annually. The Earth crust cracked in 17 major rigid Tetanic plates. Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain building and oceanic trenches occur at the tetanic plate boundaries. Iceland was formed by the emerged portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge shaped by a hot spot. Mantle plumes are fixed at core at about 2900 km. The plate moves, but the plume is fixed. Iceland’s hot spot is under Eyjafjallajokoll “Eyjaf”-island, “jalla” hill”, “jokoll”-glacier 30 volcanic systems in Iceland Eyjafjὄll-erupted in 2010 and caused major air traffic problems. Viking lore/culture...
Read more

Day 2 of trip, Day 1 of Back Roads Cruise -Nesjavellir and ₫ingvellir (Thingvellir)

Image
Hengill Geothermal Hiking Area:   Iceland is 100% sustainable energy: 75% is hydro-electric and 25% thermal energy.  Geothermal pipe system is possible because volcanic/earthquake activity. Hot water is piped through 25 km of pipe that hovers terrain; ball bearings in pilings allows flexibility. Important due to continual earthquake activity. Pumping systems along the 25 km of pipe controls speed of water and neutralizes pressure.  The pipes end within the Perlan in 5 huge storage tanks and provides energy for Reykjavik (remember yesterday pictures?) Lake Thingvellir-Glacier that feeds the lake is destined to vanish by 2065 (trajectory with climate change). The rebound from the loss of pressure and ice will destroy the geothermal system within the lake and surrounding area. Borehole Dome: houses valves to control the tremendous pressure from the hot liquid and then move the water to the pipes on left. Pipes on right are back-up if the ...
Read more