The
Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation found on the island of Heimaey
(meaning Home Island) in Iceland’s Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. With
around 4,500 residents Heimaey is the most populated island of Iceland and is
the only populated island of the Vestmannaeyjar chain.
The
660 feet high volcano could potentially be the reason of the Elephant Rock and
many other formations like it around the island. The volcano is known to explode
without warning, forcing the inhabitants of the island to act fast with strategy
that use sea water to rapidly cool the moving lava before it can change their
home too significantly, destroy the town, or potentially hurt anyone.
A
scenario such as this could have been the cause of the massive rock that
happened to be shaped just like an elephant. You can visit Heimaey and the
other Vestmannaeyjar islands by ferry, and all have hiking trails available
including some leading to Eldfell.
If
this destination is officially on your travel bucket list, be sure to go during
the summer for even more fun animal opportunities.
