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Volcanic activity on
the peninsula still exists in this Flank Zone extending westward from
the Icelandic Graben, and modern science suggests one eruption there
during historical times. The Book of Settlements mentions this eruption and explains
its beginning in a legendary manner, which is not commonly acceptable
nowadays. It applies to the
cinder crater Eldborg, which is now considered older than 5000 years.
The westernmost volcanic area of the peninsula is named after the
Snaefell’s Glacier and has an area of about 600 km².
Further east is the Lysuskard System (150 km²), and still
further east the Ljosufjoll System (1,800 km²).
The first probably has been active 20-30 times during Holocene,
the second one twice, and the third more than 20 times.
Still further east is the Snjofjoll System, which has been
dormant from the latter part of the Ice Age to this date.
The
Snaefell’s Glacier
is in the centre of the westernmost system. It covers a cone shaped volcano, which has been dormant for
more than 1,750 years and around it are several lava fields and small,
symmetrical craters created during Holocene.
Some of the lavas flowed into the sea and fortified the coastline
against the constant beating of the brakers.
The Snaefell’s Glacier’s eruptions were both explosive and
effusive. The main crater
is about 200 m deep, filled with ice and surrounded by a precipitous
wall of ice.
The
most prominent signs of the volcanic activity within this system during
Holocene are the 5,000-8,000 years old crater Budaklettur furthest east,
the Hnausa Lava Field in the southern slopes of the Jokulhals Pass
(<1,750 years old), the Klif Lava Field (same area and age), the
Hellnar and Kalfatradir Lava Fields (<1,750 years old), the Haa Lava
Field (Mt Snaefell; 1,750 years old), the Saxholar Lava Field, the
Prestar Lava Field (Raudholar), the Vaera Lava Field (Sjonarholl;
<1,750 years old) and the Nes Lava Field (Ondverdanesholar).
Older signs of volcanic activity are found in several places,
such as the crater plugs Londrangar, craters Purkholar, Holaholar, which
were created off the coast and connected during later eruptions, and
crater Bardarlaug (>10,000 years old).
The
Lysuskard system
covers the central area of the peninsula.
It depicts volcanic activity during the Ice Age and interglacial
lava fields. Only two lava fields, Hraunsmulahraun and Blafeldarhraun,
were created during Holocene. They
are very prominent in the southern slopes of the mountain range, where
the lava cascaded down to the ocean from craters on top of the
mountains. The fissures of
this system extend between Mt Trollatindar and the headland Bulandshofdi
on the northern side of the peninsula.
The
Ljosufjoll System
derives its name from a short and light coloured rhyolite mountain range
to the south of the town Stykkisholmur.
The largest eruptions during Holocene took place in the valleys
Hitardalur and Hnappadalur. This
system extends between the Kolgrafafiord Bay and the valley
Nordurardalur. Its most prominent craters created the lava fields
Berserkjahraun, Svelgsarhraun, Horgsholtshraun, Tunnuhraun,
Langadalshraun, Raudamelshraun, Gullborgarhraun, Barnaborgahraun,
Raudhalsahraun, Eldborgarhraun, Holmshraun, Hagahraun, Raudkuluhraun,
Hraundalshraun and Grabrokarhraun.
Little is known about the age of most of the lava fields and
quite a few lava caves, both hidden and discovered, were created at the
times of the eruptions. The
craters Raudamelskulur are estimated to be 2,600 years old.
The
Grabrok Lava Field counts among the most rugged AA lava fields of the
country. It was created by
a fissure eruption 3,600-4,000 years ago, which left three craters
behind. The lava field is
covered by fringe moss and bushes (birch, willow).
The craters were declared inviolate in 1962 after considerable
damages by quarrying. |