Ásbyrgi
The Ásbyrgi [ ˈauspɪrcɪ ] horseshoe-shaped gorge is part of the Jökulsárgljúfur National Park in northern Iceland . The Jökulsá á Fjöllum once flowed here . This has meanwhile dug a bed further east.
Emergence
Geologically
According to geological research, three particularly strong glacier runs have given the gorge its unusual shape. This happened after the eruptions of the volcanoes Kverkfjöll or Bárðarbunga , which belong to Vatnajökull . The first eruption occurred before 4000, the second before 3000 and the third 2500 years ago, with the last one reaching a maximum of 200,000 m³ / s (this corresponds to four times the strength of the Skeiðará glacier run in 1996). 2000 years ago the river shifted to the east, leaving behind the horseshoe-shaped gorge Ásbyrgi.
Mythological
According to Norse mythology, however, Ásbyrgi is said to have originated very differently. Since the shape of the canyon is inevitably reminiscent of a horseshoe, the Icelanders thought that Odin's eight-legged horse Sleipnir had drilled its hooves into the earth here, which earned Ásbyrgi the nickname " Odin's footprint ".
The belief in elves , the invisible people , which is omnipresent and deeply rooted in Icelandic mythology , explains Ásbyrgi as the elven capital. The traveler is informed on site via a board that there is a large cultural and economic center of the elves there. Various botanical peculiarities underline this impression, such as B. a birch grove in which the birch trees have a silver-gray bark, contrary to the usual white-black.
description
At the end of the 3.5 km long gorge there is a small lake with a lush duck population. It is fed by a trickle that drips almost imperceptibly from the stone wall of Ásbyrgis, at least in summer. A remnant of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum that once flowed there.
In addition, there is a mixed forest (mainly birch and spruce) with trees that are more than four meters high, which is rather rare for Iceland. These could develop very well due to the protected location inside the gorge. This also makes Ásbyrgi an attraction for Icelanders, as they like to visit wooded holiday areas.
In front of the entrance to the gorge there is the approx. 25 m high rock Eyjan ( isl. The island ) in the plain.
The Ásbyrgischlucht is quite remote and therefore has little infrastructure. However, there is a campsite at the beginning of the gorge. A second campsite inside the gorge was closed in 2002. There is also a visitor center as well as a petrol station with a small supermarket and a fast food place.
See also
Web links
Coordinates: 66 ° 0 ′ 52 " N , 16 ° 30 ′ 12" W.