Key Information
Stuðlagil Canyon
| Type | Basalt column canyon |
| Length | 1,640 ft |
| Depth | 65 to 100 ft |
| Discovery | 2006, publicly revealed in 2016 by Einar Páll Svavarsson |
Learning Point
- Hidden for centuries beneath a roaring glacial river in East Iceland, Stuðlagil Canyon is a striking geological marvel featuring towering, geometric basalt columns formed by ancient cooling lava flows. It was accidentally revealed in 2009 when a nearby hydropower project diverted the river’s water, exposing the canyon’s dramatic stone walls and its signature vivid turquoise river. Today, it stands as a fascinating real-world example of how human infrastructure can unexpectedly reshape natural landscapes, transforming a secret wilderness into a world-famous destination balancing modern energy needs with delicate environmental tourism.
Project
- Draw a picture of Stuðlagil Canyon.
- Overview
- Basalt Structure
Location
| Location | Jökuldalur, East Iceland, Iceland |
Fun Facts
- The canyon’s walls are made of thousands of tall, straight stone pillars that look like giant, tightly packed pencils or Lego blocks built by nature!
- For a very long time, almost nobody knew this canyon existed because it was completely hidden underwater.
- The river running through the canyon glows a bright, brilliant turquoise blue in the summer because of tiny pieces of crushed glacial rock floating in the water.
- The strange geometric shapes of the rocks formed naturally long ago when thick, hot lava slowly cooled down and cracked apart as it shrank.
- After an explorer took photos of it in 2016, the secret canyon suddenly became one of the most famous and photographed places in Iceland!
Past Lessons
| 215 | September 21, 2026 | (North America) |