Grabrok Volcano

Grabrokargigar craters in Nordurardalur were protected as natural monuments in the 1962. The goal of protecting the Grabrokargigar craters is to preserve the beautifully formed in “modern” times and are remarkable natural formations. There are three craters within the protected area, Stora (big) Grabrok, Litta (small) Grabrok and Grabrokarfell. Litla Grabrok has mostly disappeared due to mining operations before the area was protected, while Stora Grabrok rises beautifully formed very near the main road. The Grabrokargigar craters are a part of the Ljosufjoll volcanic system and are the most easterly craters in the system. It belongs to the Snaefellsnes volcanic zone, which is a peripheral zone (i.e. not a rift zone). The volcanic system extends far to the west on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The lava is alkali olivine basalt. It is believed to be somewhat younger 3600 years. Lava from the craters covers large proportion of the Nordurardalur valley.