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Valley
Adaldalur covers most of the lowland area to the south of Bay
Skjalfandafloi, all the way to River Skjalfandafljot in the west and
the outcrop north of morland Fljotsheidi. The southern border is Lake
Vestmannsvatn, where Valley Reykjadalur continues to the south. The
eastern boundaries are River Laxa and Moorland Hvammsheidi to Bruar
near the parsonage Grenjadarstadur. The three valleys continuing to
the south are Reykjadalur, Þegjandadalur (uninhabited), and
Laxardalur.
Most of
the valley floor is covered with lava fields between Rivers
Laxa and Skjalfandafljot, 100 km. square. The old
Laxar lava field (3,500 years old; volcano Ketildyngja) is
mostly covered by the younger Laxarhraun (2,200 years old;
crater rows Threngsla and Ludentsborgir). The lava
fields are mostly covered with bushes and
other vegetation. There are also several groups of pseudo
craters. Some of the craters are hollow and were used as sheep
shelters in the past. The lava fields are dotted with crevice
and chasms, where many a sheep has gone lost. Farmer Steingrimur
Baldvinsson of farm Nes fell into one of them and it took alsmost
three days to find and rescue him.
The
Husavik Airport is located in the lava fields. Picture: River
Laxa |