Lagarfljót Worm

The Lagarfljótwurm (Icelandic Lagarfljotsormurinn ), also known as Icelandic worm monster, is an animal that is in Lagarfljót, a lake close to the Icelandic town Egilsstaðir, life supposedly. Similar to the Scottish Nessie is also the Lagarfljótwurm described as a kind of sea serpent, whose length should vary between 10 and 90 meters. The idea of ​​Lagarfljótwurm goes back to a legend that is included in Jón Árnasons collection of Icelandic folktales and legends. Since the year 1345 sightings of the worm in various documents are mentioned.

Saga

Jón Árnasons published 1862-1864 collection contains the story of a girl who lived near the Lagarfljót. It laid a golden brooch together with a small worm in a box, hoping to increase in this way the gold. Instead of gold, however, the worm grew and the girl threw the box in panic in the Lagarfljót. There the worm continued to grow, but could be fixed by magicians chained to the head and tail on the bottom of the lake.

History of alleged sightings

In 1345 sightings of the worm were first written down in 1589 by the then Bishop also Oddur Einarsson. Over the centuries, the worm has been described among other things as a giant monster boats or even homes destroyed, or a harbinger of impending disaster.

Even in the 20th century, the worm was still reportedly seen in various places in and on the water. In February 2012, a farmer was filming a large floating object in a current flowing in the river Lagarfljót. The video gained notoriety on the internet and in the international media after it was aired on Icelandic TV station Ríkisútvarpið ( RUV ).

Possible explanations

Since the bottom of the lake is in some places to a gas leak, which might cause unusual movements at the surface. Another theory are movements that are caused by currents and tributaries of the lake.

Honors

On the upside Lagarfljót the excursion boat Lagarfljotsormurinn, which is named after the worm.