Earth:Esjufjöll
| Esjufjöll | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,760 m (5,770 ft) |
| Coordinates | [ ⚑ ] : 64°16′N 16°39′W / 64.27°N 16.65°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Iceland, East Iceland |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Holocene |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 1927? |
The subglacial Esjufjöll (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈɛːsjʏˌfjœtl̥] (
listen)) volcano is located at the SE part of the Vatnajökull icecap. Esjufjöll is a strict nature reserve (IUCN category Ia).[1]
Geography
The mountains, actually nunataks within Vatnajökull, are located to the north of Öræfajökull volcano and of Jökulsárlón glacial lake.[2] The mountain range consists of 4 mountain massifs with three valleys in between them.[3]
The glaciers flowing around them are feeding Breiðamerkurjökull and in the end Jökulsárlón.[3]
Volcanism
Esjufjöll are a small volcanic system and as such part of Iceland's Oræfi Volcanic Belt.[4] Also part of this zone are Öræfajökull and Snæfell (north of Vatnajökull).[5]
The volcanic system consists of the Snaehetta central volcano with a large caldera. Most of the volcano, including the 40 km2 caldera, is covered by the icecap. On the other hand are parts of the SE flank exposed in NW-SE-trending ridges.[6] Most of the exposed rocks are mildly alkaline basalts, but one may also find small amounts of rhyolitic rocks.[6]
In the beginning of September 1927, a jökulhlaup came down the Jökulsá á Breiðamerkursandi. The glacier run was accompanied by a sulfur stench. On one occasion, ash fall on the Breiðamerkurjökull was thought to have possibly originated from Esjufjöll.[6] Although Holocene eruptions have not been confirmed from Esjufjöll, earthquake swarms that could indicate magma movements were detected in October 2002, and recently in October 2010.[6]
Mountaineering
Ari Trausti Guðmundsson proposes a mountaineering tour crossing Breiðamerkurjökull and up on Lyngbrekkutindur.[3]
See also
- Volcanism of Iceland
- List of volcanic eruptions in Iceland
- List of volcanoes in Iceland
References
- ↑ Stjórnunar- og verndaráætlun Vatnajökulsþjóðgarðs, 2. útgáfa, 2013. p. 12. [1]
- ↑ Ísland Vegaatlas. Reykajvík (Ferðakort) 2006, p.7
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Ari Trausti Guðmundsson, Pétur Þorsteinsson: Íslensk fjöll. Gönguleiðir á 151 tind. Reykjavík 2004, p. 200.
- ↑ T. Thordarson, G. Larsen:Volcanism in Iceland in historical time. Volcano types, eruption types and eruption history. (2007)
- ↑ See eg.: Thor Thordarson, Armann Hoskuldsson: Classic geology in Europe 3. Iceland. Harpenden 2002, p. 14
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Esjufjöll". Smithsonian Institution. https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=374020.
External links
- "Esjufjöll". Smithsonian Institution. https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=374020.
- Esjufjöll in the Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes
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