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All Iceland Heimaey Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)
AO Edited

Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)

On an island south of Iceland, a large volcanic rock formation resembles an elephant.

Heimaey, Iceland

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StepYoshi
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Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)   Diego Delso, delso.photo
Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)   michael clarke stuff
Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)   Diego Delso, delso.photo
Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)   Diego Delso, delso.photo
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Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) is a small archipelago just off the southern coast of Iceland. The largest of these volcanic islands is called Heimaey, which features various quirky rock formations.

The most outstanding rock formation on this island can be found along the western coast and is shaped like an elephant head, with its curious appearance resembling a pachyderm with the trunk being positioned under the Atlantic Ocean.

Known as Elephant Rock, it was formed by one of the many volcanic eruptions in Heimay's history. The last eruption occurred in 1973, when half of the island's town of Vestmannaeyjar was destroyed and a new volcanic cone called Eldfell was formed. But the rock is believed to be much older. The volcanic basalt is wrinkled in a way that resembles elephant skin. The appearance of the rock has also been compared to Cthulhu, the mythical sea creature featured in H.P. Lovecraft's works.

Elephant Rock is located on the lower part of a rocky area of the island with steep cliffs and can only be reached by a one-hour boat tour. While on the island, visitors can find many other incredible volcanic formations and a diverse bird population, including the largest puffin colony in the world.

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Elephants Geological Oddities Rocks Rock Formations Geology Nature
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StepYoshi

Published

May 6, 2021

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  • https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/elephant-rock
  • https://www.treehugger.com/elephant-rock-iceland-volcanic-cliff-4864073
Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)
Heimaey
Iceland
63.439422, -20.310901

Nearby Places

Volcanic Island of Heimaey

Heimaey, Iceland

miles away

Eldheimar Museum

Heimaey, Iceland

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World's Largest Puffin Colony

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Heimaey

Heimaey

Iceland

Places 4

Nearby Places

Volcanic Island of Heimaey

Heimaey, Iceland

miles away

Eldheimar Museum

Heimaey, Iceland

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Heimaey

Heimaey

Iceland

Places 4

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