Studlagil is a canyon in the Jokuldalur valley in East Iceland, cut by the glacial river Jokla through a dense band of columnar basalt. Its walls include hexagonal basalt columns, some over 25 metres tall. The canyon was largely underwater until the Karahnjukar dam was completed in 2009.
What and where Studlagil is
Studlagil is in the Jokuldalur valley in East Iceland, roughly 70 kilometres inland from Egilsstadir. The canyon was cut by the glacial river Jokla through a dense band of columnar basalt.
Walls of basalt columns
The canyon walls are lined with hexagonal basalt columns. Some rise over 25 metres tall. These formed as lava cooled slowly and fractured into regular columns, the same process behind the basalt columns at Reynisfjara on the south coast.
The dam that revealed it
The columns were largely underwater until the Karahnjukar dam cut the river's flow. After the dam was completed in 2009, the canyon became exposed, and the water turned from muddy brown to clearer turquoise.
How the canyon became famous
Studlagil stayed little known until 2016. A photograph made it popular.
Seeing Studlagil in East Iceland
Studlagil is in East Iceland, and you can compare East Iceland tours. For live conditions, check safetravel.is and road.is.
Build a sensible route
Before setting off, use the Driving Distance Calculator to compare Studlagil Canyon: basalt columns in East Iceland with the other places you plan to visit.
