Iсеlаnd’ѕ “Troll Wаr” Pillars In Skaelinger Valley Were Formed By Lava
MessageToEagle.com – In the Skaelinger Valley on Iceland there are several very unusual hollow pillars. According to local legends the rock pillars were fоrmеd bу аngrу trolls thrоwing thеm at еасh other. Some of the tallest pillars are 8 feet (2.4 meters) high, and up to 3.3 feet (1 m) wide. Scientists studied the formations and knew that rather than trolls, these pillars were a result of mixed water and lava flow.
The mystery was how pillars like these could form on land. Normally, when water and lava meet, water either drowns the lava, forming pillow-like structures, or the lava heats the water in a flash till it turns to steam that explodes It took a while, but finally, scientists solved the pillar mystery.
According to Tracy Gregg, a geologist at the University at Buffalo in New York, at mid-ocean ridges, or points in the deep ocean where the continental plates are peeling apart, lava seeps out of the ocean floor. Hot water rises up through this pillow lava and cools the nearby lava into rock, and as lava levels rise, spires grow, and remain even after lava flows have ebbed.
But no one had ever documented such pillars on land.

Gregg became intrigued with the hollow rock formations. She and her graduate student Kenneth Christi examined the formations.
The two scientists concluded that Skaelinger’s odd formations formed just like underwater lava pillars, during the famed Laki Eruption of 1783, when a volcanic fissure in southern Iceland oozed lava for eight months. That eruption was so big that it killed at least 50 percent of the island’s livestock and a quarter of its population.

Credit: Tracy Gregg
As slow-moving lava inched its way across the Skaelinger Valley, the lava created a temporary dam on the river that flows through the valley, probably forming a small pond, Gregg said. The meeting of slow-moving lava and water formed spires similar to those found deep in the ocean.
See also: World’s Largest Underground Lake Lies Inside The Dragon’s Breath Cave
Once lava levels in the valley fell, the hardened, hollow pillars remained.
Gregg thinks it is possible that lava pillars may occur elsewhere on Earth. These spires, born in past eruptions, can also provide insight into the historical climate.
MessageToEagle.com
Expand for referencesReferences:
Live Science
Related Posts
-
The Carrington Event – Biggest Solar Storm In Earth’s History
No Comments | Aug 28, 2015 -
Lost Technology Of The Ancients – The Crystal Sun
No Comments | Mar 15, 2020 -
Master Kong Confucius: Great Philosopher And ‘Teacher Of All Teachers’ Ahead Of His Time
No Comments | Dec 30, 2016 -
World’s Oldest Moon Map Carved Into Ireland’s 5,000 Year-Old Tomb At Knowth
No Comments | Jun 25, 2014 -
Only Female Mosquitoes Bite Humans And Animals
No Comments | Feb 3, 2016 -
Why Is Angel’s Trumpet Dangerous?
No Comments | Mar 17, 2019 -
Boss Great Wall: Gigantic Wall Of Galaxies Located In Deep Space
No Comments | Sep 21, 2016 -
Pharaoh Hatshepsut: Skillful And Efficient Female Ruler Who Brought Prosperity To Ancient Egypt
No Comments | Mar 22, 2017 -
Scientists Confront ‘Energy Vampires’ – A New Name For An Old Phenomenon
No Comments | Nov 27, 2015 -
Comet Swift-Tuttle: Largest Known Object That Repeatedly Passes Near Earth
No Comments | Jan 29, 2016