Askja is a 50 square kilometers subsidence cauldron formed when a lava chamber just under the surface of the earth emptied in a volcanic eruption and the roof above it collapsed. In fact, Askja consists of three interlinked cauldrons, which makes it the best subsidence cauldron example in Iceland.

Is Askja worth visiting?

This is one of the MUST visit places if you're around Myvatn. The ~4hrs journey (one-way) itself offers some of the best views in iceland. You'll be amazed at the various landscapes along the way (e.g. moon-like landscape, lava fields). There's 2 routes to access Askja (either F88 or else F905/910).

How wide is Askja?

It is an activity centre in a volcanic system which is 150 km long and 5-10 km wide and termed the Askja Volcanic System. The system represents a true rifting zone volcanic area, located on the margins of two plates that move away from each other at an average rate of 2.0-2.5 cm per year in Iceland.