Blábjörg, the blue secret of the East Fjords

by Gerry van Roosmalen

On the shores of Berufjörður, in the East Fjords of Iceland, lies a remarkable rock formation that immediately catches the eye with its blue-green colour. Blábjörg, literally ‘the Blue Rocks’, forms a striking contrast to the dark rock and the rugged coastline of the fjord.

Its unusual colour is not the only thing that makes this place so interesting. Blábjörg tells a story that stretches back millions of years, to a time when the landscape of East Iceland was shaped by violent volcanic activity.

The rock consists of ignimbrite. This is formed when, during an explosive volcanic eruption, searingly hot clouds of ash, gas and volcanic rock race across the landscape at great speed. The material is deposited and, due to the immense heat, can partially fuse together to form a solid layer of rock. The formation at Berufjörður is approximately nine million years old.

The striking blue-green hue is partly the result of subsequent changes in the rock. Minerals such as chlorite have contributed to the distinctive colour that gave Blábjörg its name.

What was once the result of a devastating volcanic event has now been transformed into a tranquil sight on the edge of the fjord. Wind, rain and seawater have shaped the rock over millions of years, yet the distinctive colours have remained.

Blábjörg is therefore much more than just a striking rock formation. It is a tangible reminder of the immense forces that have shaped Iceland. A piece of geological history that lies right here on the surface, on the edge of Berufjörður.