The volcanic canyon Eldgjá is the largest volcanic canyon in the world, 270m deep and 600m wide at its greatest.

It was discovered in 1803 by Þorvaldur Thoroddsen and the first documented eruption in 934 was the largest flood basalt in historic time. An estimated 18m3 of lava poured out of the earth.

Eldgjá means “fire canyon”  or “canyon of fire” in Icelandic.