This mountain of Iceland, distant about three miles from the village of
Krisuvik, presents a phenomenon very different from the one which has
just been described, _viz._, that of a CALDRON OF BOILING MUD. We
extract the following particulars of this singular curiosity from the
relation given by Sir G. S. Mackenzie in his travels in Iceland.
At the foot of the mountain is a small bank, composed chiefly of white
clay and sulphur, from every part of which steam issues. Having ascended
this bank, a ridge presents itself, immediately beneath which is a deep
hollow, whence a profusion of vapor arises, with a confused noise of
boiling and splashing, accompanied by steam escaping from narrow
crevices in the rock. This hollow, as well as the whole side of the
mountain opposite, being covered with sulphur and clay, it was very
hazardous to walk over a soft and steaming surface of such a
description. The vapor concealing the party from each other occasioned
much uneasiness; and there was some hazard of the crust of sulphur
breaking, or of the clay sinking beneath their feet. They were thus
several times in danger of being scalded, as indeed, happened to one of
the party, Mr. Bright, who accidentally plunged one of his legs into the
hot clay. When the thermometer was immersed in it, to the depth of a few
inches, it generally rose to within a few degrees of the boiling point.
By stepping cautiously, and avoiding every little hole from which steam
issued, they soon ascertained how far they might venture. Their good
fortune, however, Sir George observes, ought not to tempt any person to
examine this wonderful place, without being provided with two boards,
with which every part of the banks may be traversed in perfect safety.
At the bottom of the hollow, above described, they found the caldron of
mud, which boiled with the utmost vehemence. They approached within a
few yards of it, the wind favoring them in viewing every part of this
singular scene. The mud was in constant agitation, and often thrown up
to the hight of six or eight feet. Near this spot was an irregular space
filled with water, boiling briskly. At the foot of the hill, in a hollow
formed by a bank of clay and sulphur, steam rushed with great force and
noise from among the loose fragments of rock.
In ascending the mountain, our travelers met with a spring of cold
water, which was little to be expected in such a place. At a greater
elevation, they came to a ridge, composed entirely of sulphur and clay,
joining two summits of the mountain. The smooth crust of sulphur was
beautifully crystallized; and beneath it was a quantity of loose
granular sulphur, which appeared to be collecting and crystallizing, as
it was sublimed along with the steam. On removing the sulphurous crust,
steam issued, and annoyed the party so much, that they could not examine
this place to any depth.
Beneath the ridge, on the farther side of this great bed of sulphur, an
abundance of vapor escaped with a loud noise. Having crossed to the side
of the mountain opposite, they walked to what is called the principal
spring. This was a task of much apparent danger, as the side of the
mountain to the extent of about half a mile, was covered with loose
clay, into which the feet of our travelers sunk at every step. In many
places there was a thin crust, beneath which the clay was wet, and
extremely hot. Good fortune attended them; and without any serious
inconvenience, they reached the object they had in view. A dense column
of steam, mixed with a small portion of water, forced its way
impetuously through a crevice in a rock, at the head of a narrow valley,
or break in the mountain. The violence with which it rushed out was so
great, that the noise, thus occasioned, might often be heard at the
distance of several miles. During the night while the party lay in their
tent at Krisuvik, they more than once listened to it with mingled awe
and astonishment. Behind the column of vapor was a dark-colored rock,
which added to the sublimity of the effect.
“It is quite beyond my power,” observes Sir George Mackenzie, “to offer
such a description of this extraordinary place, as would convey adequate
ideas of its wonders, or of its terrors. The sensations of a person,
even of firm nerves, standing on a support which feebly sustains him,
over an abyss where, literally, fire and brimstone are in dreadful and
incessant action; having before his eyes tremendous proofs of what is
going on beneath him; enveloped in thick vapors; his ears stunned with
thundering noises—must be experienced before they can be understood.”