Is this the mythical Icelandic worm monster?

Footage has been captured of an obscure phenomenon which appeared to be swimming in the glacial river Jökulsá í Fljótsdal, east Iceland. People are speculating whether this may be the notorious snake-like monster Lagarfljótsormurinn, which is said to reside in the lake Lagarfljót. The video was filmed by Hjörtur Kjerúlf.



Lagarfljótsormurinn is Iceland’s equivalent to Scotland’s Loch Ness monster. It was first mentioned in sources dating back to 1345. According to legend, it was at first a tiny worm which was placed on a ring of gold to make the gold grow.

When the owner of the ring returned she noticed to her great terror that the worm had grown immensely but not the gold. She tossed the ring and worm into Lagarfljót where the worm continued to grow.


YouTube link.

Whether Hjörtur’s video is indeed evidence of the existence of the legendary monster is debatable; skeptics believe it shows a torn fishing net which blew into the river where it froze. When the river cleared itself of ice the net came loose and the “worm” wriggled its way through the water.