Leirhnjúkur

"The Leirhnjukur volcano, or Leirhnjúkur in Icelandic, is an active crater near Lake Myvatn and one of Northeast Iceland's impressive natural wonders. Various tours are available to see this spectacular area in Iceland's Diamond Circle. Pass near the volcano on the 8-hour snowshoe tour of Lake Myvatn, or plan your self-drive tour from Reykjavik. Those who choose to rent a car during their trip to Iceland can include the Leirhnjukur volcano in their itinerary. Located close to Lake Myvatn, this active volcano is part of the Krafla volcano system. Krafla is a volcanic caldera made up of crater lakes and Icelandic volcanoes. Physical Features Leirhnjukur is an active volcano and one of the most impressive in the Krafla caldera. Although the last eruption occurred in 1984, the area is still monitored closely for any signs of activity. Small crater lakes with boiling geothermal waters that produce steam vents and smoking fumaroles surround the volcano. Even though the volcano hasn't erupted for decades, its lava fields provide stunning sights and vibrant colors. Arriving at the Leirhnjukur volcano will make you feel like you've stepped onto another planet. The craterous landscape is reminiscent of pictures of Mars, and the smoke and steam from the ground lend a mystical atmosphere to the area. The hill of the volcano rises about 50 feet from the lava field and is nicknamed "clay hill" because the geothermal heat creates a porous ground that produces gray clay. When you visit this area, you will see that the hot springs in and around this crater have stunning aquamarine water that contrasts dramatically with the greys and reddish-browns of the surrounding lava fields."

"Leirhnjúkur is a fascinating volcanic peak located on the western side of the Krafla caldera in northern Iceland. Its name translates to "mud peak" due to the numerous mud pots and solfataras (sulfur springs) that surround it. Leirhnjúkur is one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, having erupted 29 times since the country was first settled. Even though its last eruption occurred in 1984, the area is still very much alive with geothermal activity. You'll find steaming vents, bubbling mud pots, and colorful sulfur deposits all around Leirhnjúkur, making it a great place to witness the raw power of Iceland's volcanic forces."

"Leirhnjukur is a geothermal area near a 50 meter high rhyolite formation (164 feet). It is your chance to walk through a lava field which is still steaming 30 years after the last volcanic event! 90 minutes to 2 hours to explore"