Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2230591/Inside-volcano-BL...

By Sara Malm PUBLISHED: 17:06 GMT, 9 November 2012 | UPDATED: 15:07 GMT, 10 November 2012

Deep below the surface of the Earth is a hidden display of colours created with natures own paintbrush. Inside a dormant Icelandic volcano is an incredible magma chamber with walls in every colour of the rainbow but you have to travel 400ft down to see it. The jaw-dropping blue and orange walls of Thrihnukagigur volcano were caused by the high temperatures of eruptions thousands of years ago when molten rock was forced through the Earth's crust at up to 950 degrees.

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2230591/Inside-volcano-BL...

Inside the volcano: The rainbow coloured roof of the magma chamber seen from the bottom of the Thrihnukagigur volcano in Iceland

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Splash of colour: The blue, orange and purple hues on the walls are a reaction to the monstrous heat as molten rock burst through the planet's crust

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Rainbow rocks: A group of tourists have descended into Thrihnukagigur's magma chamber and marvel at the kaleidoscope walls

The photographs were taken by native Icelander Thor Magnuson, 59, who shot a group of British tourists descending into the volcano as part of a book he published called Iceland Inside. The colours were simply amazing, said Thor. This magma chamber is different from anything you will normally see. People that have seen the crater are really astonished. The earth inside is like another world containing extremely colourful and shows nature at its most breathtaking.

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Hot stuff: The colours were caused by the high temperature of the lava in the now dormant volcano, which is estimated to have been around 950 degrees

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Going down: Looking up at the tourists on the way down, left, and the view of the bottom as seen by the descending tourists, right

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Mythical landscape: The outside of the Thrihnukagigur volcano looks like something out of a fantasy novel

Only accessible to a handful of hard-core cavers until earlier this year the Thrihnukagigur volcano in southern Iceland may not have erupted for 3,000 years, but scientists believe it could in theory come back to life anytime. It was once hidden and unknown to people, said Thor. Normally crater like this is sealed off and not visible to us, but there seems to have been a collapse at the top which has made the volcano accessible to people.'

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Belly of the beast: Thrihnukagigur has not erupted for 3,000 years but scientists believe it can re-erupt anytime

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2230591/Inside-volcano-BL...

Taking the plunge: The bright sky contrasts the metallic blue walls as the visitors begin their 400ft descent

Thor adds: You can see in my photos the large stones at the bottom of the crater were part of the seal that collapsed and fell hundreds of meters down. This made the magma chamber accessible from the surface. The colours are created from the heat and explosions during the active eruption in the crater. Plans have been drawn to build a tunnel that goes into it with a balcony inside for tourists to view it from the inside. It is thought this will be probably the largest tourist attraction in Iceland in the future.'

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2230591/Inside-volcano-BL...

Nature's brush: With sharp edges the blocks of blue colour looks almost painted on inside the magma chamber

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Photographer: Thor Magnusson and the cover of his book 'Iceland Inside' that features pictures of the magma chamber

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Back up again: The group returns to the surface leaving the colourful inside of the Earth behind

VIDEO: Kaleidoscope of colour inside Thrihnukagigur Volcano

Watch the whole video here

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Comments (14)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all looks like blue john - me thinking , gibraltar, Spain, 10/11/2012 19:06 Click to rate Report abuse It looks like Skyrim... - RebelBrum , Birmingham, 10/11/2012 18:36 Click to rate Report abuse First photo looks like the eye and face of a crocodile. - Angel Eyes , Costa Blanca, 10/11/2012 17:33 Click to rate Report abuse So obviously photoshopped and a hoax. When will you wake up to these tricks DM? Rating 4 Rating 1 Rating (0)

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- Michael , Anatolia, 10/11/2012 16:25 Click to rate Report abuse There's no god,yer right this IS GODS WORK - Delmicwil , Redhill, 10/11/2012 15:03 Click to rate Report abuse Physics is the most beautiful thing. Nature is the name the ill-educated give it. - YouSillyDM , Crazies, United Kingdom, 10/11/2012 14:20 Click to rate Report abuse Nature is the most beautiful thing. - Shelly Manelli , Forest Hills, 10/11/2012 06:07 Click to rate Report abuse yes gorgeous and amazing - pulung widhi , bali, Indonesia, 10/11/2012 00:18 Click to rate Report abuse The Earth really is fascinating, this is something I have genuinely always wanted to do, visit the inside of a volcano, I cant really work out why as I have very little interest in Geology or another such field for that matter, but I would find doing something like this so intriguing. Most definitely something to add to the bucket list should I make one. What would be even better would be to look in to the heart of an active one, sounds mad I know, but the DM had that article a couple of months ago where that man travelled down the slope of an active volcano and was able to look in to it, it was exactly how I imagined, a large void filled lava, I would love to see something like it in person. - Christopher , Kent, 09/11/2012 22:48 Click to rate Report abuse Speaking from decades of experience Grimsby is a far more impressive hole in the ground. - Paul , Grimsby, United Kingdom, 09/11/2012 22:35 Click to rate Report abuse The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Ads by Google: King Price Car InsuranceOur premiums reduce every month! Do a 2 min online quote and save.www.kingprice.co.za/Car_Insurance 36Man Has ArrivedLatest In Men's Designer Wear. Delivered To You! Sign Up Today.www.36Man.com Affordable Funeral CoverSafeguard Your Family's Future Now. Apply Now for an OM Funeral Plan!www.OldMutual.co.za/Funeral-Plan Grinding Mill for MineralMills for limestone,barite,gypsum, Visit for 1-5% discount. Ask Now!www.kefid.com Medical Device CoatingsHemocompatible,Biocompatible, Antimicrobial Technologieswww.biointeractions.com Rating 10 Rating 21 Rating 36 Rating 61 Rating 9 Rating 15 Rating 27

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Inside a volcano that BLUE up: Colourful caverns created by molten r...

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Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group Associated Newspapers Ltd

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