Eldhraun Lava Field
Eldhraun Lava Field
The south coast route traverses the 565km² Eldhraun lava field, which flowed from the Laki fissure eruption of 1783. It is fitting that the largest lava flow from a single eruption since Iceland's settlement should have originated from one of the most powerful and destructive eruptions. At least 15 farms are known to lie under Eldhraun.
History tells us that as the lava threatened to engulf the church at Kirkjubæjarklaustur, the farmers called on the Reverend Jón Steingrímsson to pray for it to stop. Standing in front of the advancing lava, the priest preached a sermon, which miraculously did the job and halted the lava. After the event, he became known as the 'fire priest'.
Today the lava is almost totally covered in moss, softening its rugged surface. Take a moment to stop in a lay-by and view the moss close by - just try not to tread on it as that will damage it. In places, the moss is 30cm thick and it's amazing to think that it has formed in under 250 years, due to the high rainfall and humidity in the south of Iceland. Much older lava in the north of the island has almost no moss at all.