Jökull - 01.12.2003, Blaðsíða 47

The 1783–1785 Laki-Grímsvötn eruptions
Table C: Lava flows
Date Index Source Quotation
in June C1 3, p. 69 This lava flow [the Laki lava flow] comes from one of the boggiest dells here in the Síða highlands, to the north of us.
in June C2 1, p. 273 The northwestern sector of the highlands, which used to be grassy fields, is now covered by lava. Not only did we loose
a good sheep walk, but also the fields where angelica roots and Iceland-moss were be picked for food and are of vital
importance for the inhabitants.
9 June C3 4, p. 9 The Skaftá River, which ran eastward at the foot of the Síða scarp, ...began to dwindle considerably.
10 June C4 4, p. 9 The channel of the Skaftá River dried up completely, apart from the local tributaries that flowed into it.
10 June C5 10, p. 14 ...To everybody’s surprise the Skaftá River dried up and disappeared on this day.
11 June C6 2, p. 59 ...it was noticed that Skaftá River had dwindled considerably apart from the tributaries, which flowed into it from the
mountains bordering the Síða district.
11 June C7 8, p. 420 ...on the third day after Whitsunday three of us from the farm Skál went woodcutting up in the mountains. Then we
noticed that the great Skaftá River had dried up, therefore we cut the trees into the gorge. North of us further up the
gorge we saw a huge smoke or steam cloud. Late that day we went to explore this further and then we noticed, just a
short distance from we were, that the whole gorge was filled with lava and its sides were like glowing iron. The rocks,
both the glowing and unburned ones collided in the air causing loud cracking sounds.
12 June C8 2, p. 59 ...the lava surge first emerged out from the Skaftá River gorge with incredibly loud cracks, claps, din and rumble. The
discharge of the lava was similar to that the Skaftá River, which is one of the larger rivers in Iceland and was at a high
stand at this time. When the lava poured into the rivers or quicksand, which happened to be in its way, loud claps and
rattles were heard. To begin with the flow advanced at torrential speed along the main river channel, then it poured over
the older lava flows which were in its path and destroyed most of the fields and pastures belonging to the farm Á. [This
was the first of five lava surges to emerge from the Skaftá River gorge].
12 June C9 3, p. 69 ...out from the gorge, named Skaftárgljúfur [Skaftá River gorge], emerged such a large flood of lava, with the colour of
molten copper in a crucible, that it was similar to the water level in the Blanda River during high stand as it is seen at
your place or in the vicinity of the farm Bólstaðarhlíð.
12 June C10 4, p. 9 ...a lava surge emerged out of the Skaftá River gorge with enormous effluent, cracking, din and rumble. When the lava
fell into quicksand, fresh water springs, or river channels loud claps were heard, just like many cannons were fired off at
the same time.
14 June C11 2, p. 60 The following night the flow of lava out the Skaftá River gorge and along the mountain Árfjall was so intensive that the
ground trembled and vibrated from incessant strokes of lightning and thunder, so almost no one got any rest or sleep
that night. At that time the lava burned up and destroyed all land between Skálarstapi and Nesrof [Nes], along with
Brandaland, which belonged to Kirkjubæjarklaustur. This day the flow reached Holtsgarðar where its advance was
halted for awhile. [This is the second lava surge that emerged from the Skaftá River gorge].
14 June C12 4, p. 11 ...aan awful lava surge emerged from the Skaftá River gorge, such that the whole gorge appeared to be filled with lava
to the brim. This surge completely abolished and destroyed the following farms which belonged to the abbey and the
king. Á in Síða and Nes in Skaftártunga, each worth 12 hundred coins of silver. It also completely covered the old lava
flows between the Síða and Skaftártunga districts, which were largely grown up with brushwood and trees, very useful
pasturelands. This area included Brandaland, a good woodcutting area, belonging to Kirkjubæjarklaustur ...Brandaland
was located westsouthwest of Skálarstapi in the nook where the river turns east along the Síða scarp and bordered by
a branch from the Skaftá River. This surge destroyed the so-called Skálargarðar and Holtsgarðar, where it became
stationary for awhile. Another branch of lava advanced south towards Meðalland, where it flowed first over the Botnar
and Steinsmýri lavas. [This description is under 16 June in the original source, which appears to be a mistake. See text
for further discussion].
14 June C13 8, p. 420 The night before Trinitatis [15 June] the flow of lava was so intense that no one had experienced such enormity and
people thought that this would be their last day alive. At this time the lava flow was 20 fathoms away from the graveyard
at the farm Skál and it was as high as highest sea-cliffs (i.e., Vogastapi) [Vogastapi is at the Reykjanes peninsula. The
cliffs that face the ocean are∼40m high].
15–17 June C14 2, p. 60 ...during these days the lava flowed at the same rate towards south and southwest from the farm Skál, which was still
standing, the flow crept into the older hollow lavas, caused them to swell up so high that the ones which didn’t observe
it would find it hard to believe. These old crags and boulders were thrown up into the air with a cracking noises as many
cannons were fired off, but on impact a loud claps and rumble were heard. [here the Laki lava is advancing over the
934AD Eldgjá lava].
17 June C15 4, p. 13 ...the column of fire rose up so high, ...that sparks of fire actually advanced forward between Lambatungur, located at
the west end of Kaldbakur, and Geirlandshraun, which is an elongated hill north of the Síða district, trending east-west
and stretches so far west that it reaches beyond the farm Skál. The fire column was seen from Prestbakki farm above the
Geirlandsheiði moor. [This descriptions refers to the rootless eruptions in the Leiðólfsfell area (Thordarson et al., 1998)]
18 June C16 2, p. 61 ...an enormous lava surge emerged from Útnorðursgjá, filled the Skaftá River gorge up to its brims and advanced rapidly
out over the fluvial plain so it looked like it was on fire from one mountain side to another. ...the lava flowed so rapidly
out from the gorge, that it resembled the discharge in the river Hvítá during high stand at Skálholtshamar and the flow
velocity was similar to that in a river during the period of spring-thaw... [The third lava surge to emerge from the Skaftá
River gorge; Skálholtshamar is a cliff at the bank of the river Hvítá near the old episcopal seat Skálholt].
18 June C17 4, p. 13 ...again a lava surge emerged from the Útnorðursgjá, so the Skaftá River gorge, which was both wide and deep, was
filled with lava to the brim.
19 June C18 4, p. 14 The lava that rushed forward this day, filled the channel of river Skaftá and in 5 days it wasted and destroyed the farm
Hólmar, both farms at Fljótar, Hólmasel and Botnar.
JÖKULL No. 53, 2003 45