Lakagígar (Laki Craters)

Background

History & Background

The Laki eruption of June 1783 – February 1784 was one of the most consequential volcanic events in human history. The eruption produced 14 km³ of lava — the largest lava flow in historical times — and released enormous amounts of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. The resulting 'Laki Haze' killed crops across Europe, caused famine that may have contributed to the French Revolution, and the resulting famine in Iceland killed approximately 25% of Iceland's entire population. It also caused an unusually cold winter in North America, disrupting military operations during the American Revolutionary War.

Lakagígar are a crater row extending for more than 29 kilometres in Vatnajökull National Park. More than 130 craters formed during the Skaftáreldar eruptions of 1783–1784. Today the crater landscape is covered by extensive moss and can be explored from designated stops and marked hiking trails. Access is via roads F206 and F207; the national park states that the route requires four-wheel drive and includes four unbridged river crossings, so current road and weather conditions should always be checked before departure.