Iceland's crystal ice caves are pretty awesome - PHOTO

12:15 | 17.03.2014
Iceland's crystal ice caves are pretty awesome - PHOTO

Iceland's crystal ice caves are pretty awesome - PHOTO

These stunning clear blue ice caves which stretch as far as the eye can see are one of Iceland's national treasures.

Although the caves look like giant waves, which seem frozen in time, water actually moves down the huge Vatnajokull Glacier at a snail-like speed.Some glaciers do not move, others shift at a speed of up to 0.3 miles a year. On average glaciers move just millimetres over a 12 month period.With a surface area of 5,033 miles, it spans eight per cent of the country and is the largest glacier in Europe. At the glacier's thickest point, the width of the ice is 3281 feet (1000 metres).The scene was captured by Rob Lott, from Wiltshire. The 49-year-old photographer travelled to the area last month and described the moment he pictured the setting as 'one of the most surreal experiences of my life'.Mr Lott said: 'It is best described as like walking under a huge ocean wave - yet being able to stay dry and breathe.'The glacier caves are created by geothermal springs which run under the ice and drop to over 1,000 feet (330m) below ground.Tourists from across the world come to see the scene but visits stop from March because of the risk of the roof melting and collapsing. The best time to visit the caves is during the winter months.Mr Lott added: 'Rainfall will quickly reawaken the dry river that runs through the cave making it difficult or, quite often, impossible to visit.'Every now and then we could hear cracks overhead as the ancient glacier creaked and groaned above us - though we never felt in danger.'Our visit there was considered one of the best of the season and the cave had never looked more beautiful.'(dailymail.co.uk)ANN.Az

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