| Caves in Iceland |
| Gjábakkahellir |
| Leiðarendi |
| Búri |
| Þrihnjúkagígur |
| Raufhofshellir |
| Vantshellir |
| Surtshellir |
Þrihnjúkagígur
The mother of all magma chambers is no doubt Þríhnjúkagígur.
One of the largest of its kind in the world; situated in the nationally protected ´Blue mountains´ mountain range, Þríhnjúkagígur was first explored in 1974. Since then, despite the short distance from Reykjavik, only a handful of people have had the fortune of experiencing this this magnificent 4000 year old geological phenomenon first hand.
Þríhnjúkagígur is a massive vertical lava tube at the bottom of which lies a volcanic vault that could house a respectable roman cathedral.
The distance from top to bottom is roughly 150m (500ft) - the height of the world´s third tallest building! From the opening there is a sheer drop down a narrow conduit that gradually opens up to a gigantic cone-shaped dome the base of which is the size of a football field!
Descending into this spent magma chamber of a dormant volcano is truly an AWESOME experience (in the original sense of the word; i.e. not in the way a hairdo or a chewing gum can apparently be ´awesome´).
Not only is it the world´s only magma chamber that is safely accessible, but its natural beauty is staggering.
The inside of the volcano consists of a mosaic of lava formations displaying an other-worldly symphony of colours that only Mother nature could compose.
Seeing is believing!
