Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation in Heimaey island, part of the Westman Islands or Vestmannaeyjar,Iceland.
Heimaey is an island in Iceland. It was formed as a result of the activity of the Vestmannaeyjar volcanic complex. This natural rock formation originated from the eruption of the Eldfell volcano in 1973. The lava flows were cooled by sea waters, and the result was this miracle of nature – an elephant that lowered its trunk to quench its thirst. The height of the rock is more than 200 m.
The basalt surface, which really resembles a wrinkled elephant’s hide, enhances the impression of the realism of the “sculpture”. The elephant-shaped rock attracts many visitors and contributes to the revitalization of the economic activity of the inhabitants of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago.
Access : Coordinates:63.439284, -20.311016 / The Amazing elephant-shaped rock located south of Iceland is Heimaey Island / The Vestmannaeyjar can be reached to Vestmannaeyjar Airport by air from the domestic airport in Reykjavík or from Bakki, southeast of Hvolsvöllur. Since summer 2010 there is a ferry from the new port Landeyjahöfn near Hvolsvöllur.
Highlights :
- The best way to see Elephant Rock is from a RIB boat tour or ferry ride,will need to take a one-hour boat trip to see it.
- After a natural disaster, Icelanders began to call the island Heimaey – Northern Pompeii. After all, like Pompeii, was flooded with lava and covered with ash.
- The basalt rock, which is the main component of the rock, gives wrinkles to the elephant’s “skin”.
Go next : The small Skansinn fortress near the harbor / Vestmannaeyjar harbour in Heimaey / Helgafell volcano / Eldfell volcano.
