The skútustadagígar pseudo craters are a unique geological phenomenon, located south of Lake Mývatn. The pseudo craters were formed when water that was trapped beneath flowing lava, boiled and burst up through the surface, creating what looks like volcanic cones. Some were so recently formed that their sides are still charred. A group of these pseudo craters at Skútustaðir are protected as a Natural Monument.
Pseudo craters have also been discovered in the Athabasca Valles region of Mars, where lava flows superheated groundwater in the underlying rocks.
A walking path from the service centre of Skútustaðir, which takes its name from the ancient hero Víga-Skúta, leads around the pseudo craters. We set off along one of the paths and follow it up to the rim of one of the craters. The view over the snow-covered landscape is simply spectacular as we look over the countless craters and the so-called ‘table mountain’ in the background.
SOURCES:
- Information provided by Cruise and Maritime Voyages
- Insight Guides: Iceland
- Information provided by Akureyri Tourist Information Office
- https://www.amusingplanet.com/2014/04/the-pseudocraters-of-iceland.html
