a s i f i t s h u g e b l o c k s h a d b e e n p i l e d u p b y h u m a n
d i t s l u ^ ^ e d s u m m i t m i g h t , t o a p e r f e c t
s t r a n g e r , a p p e a r a t f i r s t s i g h t t o b e c r o A v n e d A v i t h
t h e r u i n s o f s o m e g i g a n t i c b u i l d i n g . We r o d e a
s h o r t d i s t a n c e a l o n g t h e b o t t o m o f t h e c h a s m u n t i l
Av e c a m e t o a n o p e n i n g i n t h e l o A v e r A v a i l , o r t h a t
o n o u r r i g h t , w h i c h c a r r i e d u s o u t t o t h e o p e n c o u n t
r y . O b s e r v i n g h o A v e v e r , a t a s h o r t d i s t a n c e f a r t h e r
o n , a f i n e A v a t e r f a l l t u m b l i n g d o A v n i n t o t h e c h a s m
A v i t h a g r e a t n o i s e O A T r t h e e d g e o f t h e h i g h e r p r e c
i p i c e , I r o d e o n t o h a v e a m o r e d i s t i n c t v i cAV o f i t ;
n 'a tc ifid ! o f the Oxer-aa into the Almannagaiaa.
and standing on the verge of the loAver side, directly
opposite to it, I made a hasty sketch, which may
be sufficient to convey a notion of the higher Avail
of this enormous gap, which has attracted the
notice of all Avho have travelled on this route.
Sir Joseph Banks pronounced it to be a sinking
of the earth, in Avhich he has been followed by
most succeeding travellers. The direction of the
chasm is at right angles to the axis of the ridge of
mountains, and the whole range to the eastAvard of
it continues to be much loAver than that part of
it to the westward. It may therefore perhaps be
but a sudden descent of the ridge, though it is
obvious that fire has been an active agent in this
quarter, and may have rent the mountain asunder;
for from this spot commence those indications of
volcanic convulsions that have torn asunder the
surface the whole Avay to Thingvalla, and ca'cu as
far to the eastAvard as the Geysers.
When Olafsen and Povelsen Avere at Thingvalla
in 1740, attending the Althing, or general court of
justice, which at that timm Avas held there, the
Oxer-aa, or Ox river, AA’hich is said to have disappeared
and re-appeared several times, Avas dried up
on this occasion for the space of eight d ay s; but
one fine morning a tremendous noise alarmed the
assembled multitude, Avhich Avas folloAved by a
burst of Avater, carrying before it rock and earth,
and, making its way in a torrent, fell into the
chasm of Almannagaiaa in a fine Avaterfall doAvn the