Ásbyrgi canyon, Vatnajökull National Park, north east Iceland
Ásbyrgi canyon lies in north east Iceland to the east of Húsavík on the "Diamond Circle" route which additionally includes Lake Mývatn and the Dettifoss Waterfall.
The horseshoe-shaped depression of the Ásbyrgi canyon is part of the Vatnajökull National Park and measures approximately 2.2 miles in length and 0.68 miles across. For more than half of its length, the canyon is divided through the middle by a distinctive rock formation 80 feet high called Eyjan ("the Island"), from which there are spectacular views. The canyon's steep sides are formed by cliffs up to 325 feet in height.
The canyon habitat is made up of birch and willow woodland. Between 1947 and 1977, a number of foreign tree species were introduced including fir, larch and pine. The small lake Botnstjörn is home to a variety of waterfowl species.
The Ásbyrgi canyon was most likely formed by catastrophic glacial flooding of the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum after the last Ice Age 8000 to 10000 years ago and then again some 3000 years ago. The river has since changed its course and now runs a short distance to the east.
Legend explains the unusual shape of the canyon differently. Nicknamed “Sleipnir's footprint”, it is said that the canyon was formed when Odin's eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, touched one of its feet to the ground here.
Date: 3rd June 2015
Location: view of Eyjan from road 862 south of Ásbyrgi
The horseshoe-shaped depression of the Ásbyrgi canyon is part of the Vatnajökull National Park and measures approximately 2.2 miles in length and 0.68 miles across. For more than half of its length, the canyon is divided through the middle by a distinctive rock formation 80 feet high called Eyjan ("the Island"), from which there are spectacular views. The canyon's steep sides are formed by cliffs up to 325 feet in height.
The canyon habitat is made up of birch and willow woodland. Between 1947 and 1977, a number of foreign tree species were introduced including fir, larch and pine. The small lake Botnstjörn is home to a variety of waterfowl species.
The Ásbyrgi canyon was most likely formed by catastrophic glacial flooding of the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum after the last Ice Age 8000 to 10000 years ago and then again some 3000 years ago. The river has since changed its course and now runs a short distance to the east.
Legend explains the unusual shape of the canyon differently. Nicknamed “Sleipnir's footprint”, it is said that the canyon was formed when Odin's eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, touched one of its feet to the ground here.
Date: 3rd June 2015
Location: view of Eyjan from road 862 south of Ásbyrgi
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Also in: North east Iceland
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