The Eldhraun lava field is a vast moss-covered lava field in south Iceland. It covers roughly 565 square kilometres and was created by the Laki, or Lakagigar, fissure eruption of 1783 to 1784. Route 1, the Ring Road, crosses it near Kirkjubaejarklaustur.
What the Eldhraun lava field is
Eldhraun lies along the south coast between Vik and Kirkjubaejarklaustur. It is one of the largest lava flows in recorded history, covering roughly 565 square kilometres.
A continuous layer of wooly fringe moss gives the lava its soft, pale-green appearance. That moss is what gives the field its distinct surface across this broad lava landscape.
The Laki eruption of 1783 to 1784
Eldhraun was created by the Laki, or Lakagigar, fissure eruption of 1783 to 1784. The eruption began on 8 June 1783 and ended on 7 February 1784.
Lava poured from the Lakagigar crater row in the south Iceland highlands. The eruption produced roughly 14 cubic kilometres of basaltic lava.
The Mist Hardships: the famine that followed
The eruption released a toxic haze that killed livestock and crops across Iceland. The resulting famine is known as the Moduhardindi, the Mist Hardships.
At least a fifth of Iceland's population died in the famine that followed.
Where the moss meets the moon: Apollo training grounds
NASA used Icelandic lava fields near here to train Apollo astronauts as a lunar analogue. The area's volcanic ground was part of that training context in Iceland.
Protecting the fragile moss
The deep moss is fragile and easily damaged, so walking on it is discouraged. The moss can take decades to centuries to recover if trampled or scarred.
Visiting Eldhraun on a South Coast tour
Eldhraun is crossed by Route 1, the Ring Road, near Kirkjubaejarklaustur. For tour options, compare South Coast tours.
Estimate the road time
Use the Driving Distance Calculator to work out how much driving time to allow around The Eldhraun Lava Field: what it is and why it matters.
