Access and Information
Kirkjugólfið is located in a field on the eastern edge of the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur. A walking path leads from the parking area on Geirlandsvegur to Kirkjugólfið. The site is managed by park rangers at Skaftárstofa.
Interpretation
Kirkjugólfið forms part of a columnar basalt formation, where the upper sections of vertical basalt columns protrude from the ground. Columnar basalt such as that found at Kirkjugólfið forms within cooling lava flows. After solidification, the lava continues to cool and gradually contract, causing it to fracture into polygonal columns, most commonly five- or six-sided. These columns always form perpendicular to the cooling surface, which explains why they stand vertically within lava formations, as seen at Kirkjugólfið. Since their formation, the columns at Kirkjugólfið have been shaped by both glacial action and wave erosion. Historically, the area was also affected by windblown sand, and abrasion caused by sand movement remains visible on parts of the basalt surface.
Protection Status
Kirkjugólfið was designated a natural monument in 1987. The protected area extends 10 metres from the basalt formation itself, while a surrounding buffer zone extends 50 metres beyond Kirkjugólfið. The guiding objective for the natural monument is to preserve the basalt columns forming Kirkjugólfið and maintain the site’s distinctive appearance. An additional aim is to ensure good public access so that visitors may continue to enjoy the site, while protecting and maintaining its surrounding environment. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) protected area classification system, Kirkjugólfið is classified as a Category III protected area (Natural Monument or Feature).