Descending into the Heart of a Volcano

Happy Friday! This is Adventure Fix, the weekly email that pays tribute to Earth’s power, energy, and extraordinary biodiversity, immersing you in the captivating beauty of the untamed natural world.

Here’s what we've got for you today: Descending into the heart of a volcano.

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Descending into the heart of a volcano

Ever wonder what it’s like to take a journey toward the center of the earth?

In Iceland, you can turn that curiosity into reality at the dormant Þríhnúkagígur volcano.

Normally when a volcano erupts, the magma cools, solidifies, and fills the cone. But after Þríhnúkagígu erupted, the magma disappear, leaving a uniquely preserved cavity, making it ripe for exploration.

To experience this geological oddity, all you need to do is go on a hike to the crater’s edge and have the guts to be lowered 400 feet to the bottom in an open cable lift.

As the elevator lowers you deeper and deeper you can see the different layers of the volcano. When you reach the last stop, you can walk around huge boulders and incredible formations.

Explore more:

• A Quick Look Inside a Volcano (video)

• Descend into the Heart of an Icelandic Volcano (photo essay)