Scientists aim to open the “gates to hell” in Iceland to extract energy from the Víti volcano.

After many years of attempts, scientists plan to begin drilling into the Víti volcano in Iceland. The goal is to reach the magma chamber located 2 km beneath the Earth’s surface. The mission aims to improve volcano eruption predictions and test a new energy source.

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4 min readJan 14, 2024
[Photo: batintherain (https://www.flickr.com/people/batintherain/), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons]

Iceland has become one of the most popular travel destinations for tourists in recent years, known for its intense volcanic activity, attracting the interest of scientists and engineers.

What is the Víti volcano known for?

The Víti volcano is a remarkable natural wonder in Iceland, with its name meaning “hell” in Icelandic. This name is linked to a massive eruption in 1724, which shaped the crater. The volcano is part of a larger volcanic system known as Krafla, located in the northern part of Iceland.

The Víti crater has a diameter of about 300 meters and is filled with turquoise waters, creating a picturesque lake. The striking color of the water, combined with the surrounding otherworldly landscape, makes Víti a popular destination for tourists…

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