Iceland: Day 9 - Reykjahlíð

July 3, 2004

After our climb up Vindbelgjarfjall we decided to do a quick stop again in the town of Reykjahlíð before heading back to camp. The area around the church is noteworthy for the lava flows on either side. These date to August 1729, when erupting fissures near Krafla caused lava to descend from the hills and cover three nearby farms, but was mysteriously deflected around the low-lying church - some say by the cemetery wall, others by prayer. The lava itself has some good examples of rope-lava pavements, and plenty of fissures caused by escaping gases. In fact, on a cold day you can often see steam rising from small cracks in the ground all around Reykjahlíð.

Looking across the lake at 'our' crater.
The mountain in the background is going to sleep with a warm covering of cloudy blankets.

The church in Reykjahlíð

Some sheep pens made from lava rock walls behind the church

The lava flows around the church

Back at our tent.

snoozing.

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