IIn June 2022 I had the pleasure of exploring lava tubes in Iceland. I was first greeted by large fields of Lúpína, a vibrant purple flower carpeting areas all throughout Iceland. As I got further from Reykjavik the landscape quickly changed. I found myself surrounded by the Leitarhraun lava field, created by an eruption of a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula 5200 years ago.

This would be the first time I had explored a lava tube, so I was excited. They are much different from the solution I had already experienced. Creation of these caves couldn’t be any more different. While solution caves are created by water, lava tubes are created by fire. Though the lava tubes I explored were wide and tall, navigating the floor filled with collapse was more challenging than I expected. The climb up and down the collapse was not physically challenging, but instead require more cautious planning for every step. A fall from a misstep onto the jagged rock carpeting the floor could be fatal.

I hope to return soon to collect sample of bacteria that flourishes in this unique environment.