Have you ever wondered what causes volcanoes to erupt? Do you know which place has the most dangerous volcanoes?
Volcanoes for sure make us think so much. It’s such a mystery of the presence of volcanoes. They are calm, the next minute they burst out. But how?
So many questions occur in our head when we hear about volcanoes and volcanic eruptions.
To Have The Answer To All These Questions, Just Keep On Reading:
Do You Know That Iceland Is A Volcanic Island?
YES!! Iceland is certainly a volcanic island!
The island was formed above the Atlantic Ocean around 18 million years ago. The reason for its origin was due to an extensive volcanic eruption!
According to a survey, it is believed that every 5 years once, the eruption of volcanoes will occur in Iceland.
Another reason why volcanoes are interesting is that some of the volcanoes have become tourist spots. People can visit and take photographs of the volcanoes. But be careful! You’ve got hot fumes all over! Half of the Island encompasses volcanic desert regions formed recently.
Let us see the top 5 most dangerous volcanoes in Iceland that are interesting and scary.
Active Volcanoes Those Are Present In Iceland:
There are many reasons why there exist so many volcanoes in Iceland.
Four main zones are relevant to Iceland: the Western Rift Zone, the Eastern Rift Zone, the Northern Rift Zone, and the Tjörnes Fracture Zone.
Large eruptions take place because of the area between Hekla, Katla, and Vatnajökull. Here, the rifting makes the earth tear open.
There are approximately a hundred and thirty volcanoes in Iceland, either active or dormant. There are nearly 30 islands under the Island other than Westfjords.
The main reason why Iceland has many volcanoes is that Iceland is a volcanic hotspot.
Many geologists state that there is a mantle plume underlying Iceland’s center which has hot fumes in them.
Interesting, isn’t it?
The well-known eruption in Iceland was on 14th April 2020. Eyjafjallajökull was the last volcano erupted. It left behind a large amount of ash in the clouds, making the daylight dark.
But the eruption caused the melting of ice in large amounts, which lead to flooding in Southern Iceland. You can notice mantle plumes often where there are no tectonic plate boundaries.
Click pictures whenever you can, and get to know the history behind the volcano!
Fortunately, there were no human fatalities reported during the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010. But people who lived near the volcanic region were highly affected with irritation symptoms in the lung than normal rate.
On March 19, 2021, the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland erupted after being dormant for almost 800 years.
After three months of the eruption, it was said that the Fagradalsfjall volcano on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula was still flowing lava and expanding its flow field.
What Types Of Volcanoes Are Found In Iceland?
Let us see the different types of volcanoes found in Iceland:
The common types of volcanoes in Iceland are composite or strato volcanoes which stretch out in a line, often across large areas. Shield volcanoes are shaped like a warrior´s shield.
The Surtsey volcano eruption, which happened in 1963, stands as a very good example of the shield volcano.
Caldera eruption’s examples are the Askja and the Herðubreið (table-top mountains). The glorious Hekla is an example of a stratovolcano.
Here Are The Top 5 Most Dangerous Volcanoes In Iceland:
- The Katla Volcano:
Have you ever heard of the Katla volcano? The Katla volcano is as dangerous as it sounds! Katla means kettle. The horrifying fact about the Katla volcano is that it is one of the largest volcanic sources of carbon-di-oxide.
It is believed that the Co2 released is up to 4% of the total global volcanic Co2 emissions. Can you believe it?
The Katla volcano last erupted in 1918! To date, the Katla volcano has just erupted only once. Yet, it is called the most dangerous island in Iceland!
- The Askja Volcano:
Askja and Víti are quite popularly known as the volcanic duo!
They are located in the North-Eastern part of Iceland near Mývatn and other geothermally active areas. The duo volcanoes come under must-visit attraction spots.
Askja’s bright and clear blue waters attract the eyes of the visitors! Askja last erupted in 1961 but known to be the most tragic one happened to take place in March 1875.
Heavy ashfall occurred before few years which affected and killed the livestock and poisoned land and water. Later, strong currents of winds carried the ash to Scandinavia but thank God, it had only fewer effects.
The 1875 eruption ended in up in-migration of people from Iceland to many regions of the world like Canada, Australia, and even Brazil.
- The Eldfell Volcano:
Eldfell is the volcano in Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar e. Westman Islands. The last eruption was during 1973 making the island evacuated.
The erupted lava kept flowing and made the island enlarge more.
Do you know the elephant rock?
It is in this eruption, the elephant rock is believed to be formed!
Interesting, right?
And also, during the eruption, many people lost their residencies. Later, the magma cooled down and stopped with seawater. Fortunately, some of them stayed on the island during the eruption and saved their town!
Today, 4500 approx people reside on the island.
Do you know which island is still untouched? The Surtsey Island is still untouched, but except for research purposes.
- The Grímsvötn Volcano:
We are looking at Icelandic volcanoes, but there is a unique volcano that we are going to see!
Yes, it is the Grímsvötn volcano. The volcano’s name means Grím’s lakes.
Grímvötn volcano is located in South East Iceland inside the Vatnajökull ice cap which is the largest glacier in the whole of Europe.
- The Herðubreið Volcano:
The best example of sneaky volcanoes in Iceland is the Herðubreið volcano. It seems like a calm, pretty mountain from a long distance. But, in a closer view, it is a volcano!
Located in the North-Eastern part of Iceland, the Herðubreið volcano can be seen if you pass through the Ring Road.
It is not an active volcano as of now. The last eruption took place during the Pleistocene era, about 2,588,000 to 11,700 years ago.
The highest peak of Herðubreið is 1,682 m. The peak is so steep that even Icelanders who climb mountains are quite aware of the Herðubreið’s existence.
Volcanoes are indeed scary, but interesting on the other hand.
If you’re traveling to Iceland, do not forget to capture the volcanoes in your camera!
