Askja
The volcano Askja is situated in the north-east of Iceland. It lies in the interior and therefore in the Highlands of Iceland (location: 65.03 N, 16.75 W). The distance to the oasis Herðubreiðarlindir is about 40 km. Askja is part of the volcanic mountain range Dingjufjöll.
The 1,510 m-high Askja was virtually unknown until the tremendous eruption which started on March 29, 1875. The last eruption of the Askja was in 1961.
Askja has a big caldera (ca. 45 km/2). In the caldera, there are two lakes. The bigger one, Öskjuvatn, is with 220 m the deepest lake of Iceland. Like the smaller Víti which also has a lake in its crater, it originates from the big eruption in 1875. Especially in the eastern fjords of Iceland, the ash downfall was so important that the land was poisoned for a longer time and the cattle died. A lot of people emigrated afterwards.
In 1907, two German scientists disappeared on the lake, Walter v. Knebel and Max Rudloff. The betrothed of Knebel, Ina von Grumbkow, who was a very courageous woman, started an expedition in search for them and took part in it. But no trace could be found.
On the way to Askja lies Drekagil, the canyon of dragons.
See also: Volcanoes of Iceland