Laufbalavatnshellar lava tubes in Eldhraun lava field
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On 8 June 1783, a fissure with 130 craters opened with phreatomagmatic explosions because of the groundwater interacting with the rising basalt magma. On the fifth day of the eruption, July 12, the molten magma rushed down the Skaftar river gorge and down on the lowlands. The eight month emission of sulfuric aerosols resulted in one of the most important climatic and socially repercussive events of the last millennium.
The eruption, also known as the Skaftareldar ("Skafta river fires") or Sidueldur, produced an estimated 14 cu km (3.4 cu mi) of basalt lava, and the total volume of tephra emitted was 0.91 cu km (0.2 cu mi). Lava fountains were estimated to have reached heights of 800-1400 m (~2,600-4,600 ft). In Great Britain, the summer of 1783 was known as the "sand-summer" due to ash fallout. The gases were carried by the convective eruption column to altitudes of about 15 kilometers (10 mi). The aerosols built up caused a cooling effect in the Northern Hemisphere.
The eruption continued until 7 February 1784, but most of the lava was erupted in the first five months. Grimsvotn volcano, from which the Laki fissure extends, was also erupting at the time from 1783 until 1785. The outpouring of gases, including an estimated 8 million tons of hydrogen fluoride and estimated 120 million tons of sulfur dioxide gave rise to what has since become known as the "Laki haze" across Europe. Laki and its row of craters and fissures is considered the largest of such phenomenon known on Earth.
As said before, the Laki eruption produced an immense amount of lava that later solidified and hardened. The lava field now covers over 656 sq. kilometers and 14 cu. kilometers. A little under 200 lava tubes have been found in the Laki lava field, both small and large.
North-east of Laufbalavatn lake near the eastern flanks of the lava field resides one of the more magnificent lava tube systems in Iceland. On only 500 sq. meter part of the lava field have over 5 kilometers of lava tubes been discovered and catalogued. This lava tube system has gotten the name Laufbalavatnshellar from their namesake nearby lake.
Extreme Iceland offers tours around the Eldhraun lava field, both to see the crater line and also to experience the lava tubes, both the large ones and also the smaller ones.
We also offer exciting tours to the Eldhraun lava field where we go cave-hunting for undiscovered lava tubes hiding deep inside the prominent lava field.
Extreme Iceland takes upon themselves to plan tours for their clients whether it’s a day tour, a weekend tour or tour that can last for weeks.
Please feel free to contact us at Extreme Iceland regarding making plans for your trip, for we likely will give you one of the most astonishing tours of your life.
