 | The caldera of Askja and its lake Öskjuvatn in winter, with the tuya Herdubreid in the distance at left (photographer unknown) |
Askja
4974 ft (1516 m) . |
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| Location: | Northeast Iceland, 60 miles (95 km) SE of Akureyri | ||
| Lat / Long: | 65.0° N, 16.8° W | ||
| Volcanic Type: | Stratovolcano with caldera lake | ||
| Volcanic Status: | Active, last eruption 1961 | ||
| First Ascent: | |||
| First Ski Descent: | |||
| Skiable Vertical: | about 2000 ft (600 m) | ||
| Iceland's version of Crater Lake, Askja ("the box") is a set of large overlapping calderas which surmount the broad massif of Dyngjufjoll, an older eroded stratovolcano. The main caldera is 5 miles (8 km) in diameter and within it lies a spectacular lake, Öskjuvatn, which is over 2.5 miles (4 km) diameter. The volcano lies to the north of Vatnajokull in a barren region called the Ódádahraun ("the desert of crimes"), which is in the rain shadow of the high plateau of the icefield. Nevertheless, there are some good ski possibilities, with easy access from a dirt road which wraps around the massif to enter the caldera from the north, and spectacular scenery year-round. | |||
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More photos and info about routes, access, etc. may be added in the future ... |
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| Topographic map of Askja (1:100,000 scale) <click to enlarge> |
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