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Askja
This is the vastest lava area of the country. The individual lava fields
date back to different ages, but all of them were created during the
Holocene. The total area of the Odadahraun is about 6000 km² and all of it
is the property of the farm Reykjahlid on lake Myvatn. It is a part of the
Icelandic Graben and is very volcanically active. The natural phenomena
described under this title are either within or on the outskirts of the
area. The area should only be accessed by 4wd vehicles or on foot. Hikers
should be aware of the lack of surface water in the lava fields and bring
along sufficient supplies of water. Hikers should also plan their daily
progress conservatively and use maps rather than relying on their eyes,
because the clear air draws all landmarks closer than they really are.
There are very few vegetated oases in the area and the few huts are not
situated, where a day's hike is concluded every time. Therefore it is
necessary to bring tents along. Ancient routes across this area have been
discovered during the last few decades. The whole area lies in the rain
shadow of the icecap Vatnajokull and the precipitation is minimal the whole
year round. |
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