Previously believed to be borderline extinct new study shows that the magnificent Snæfellsjökull glacier in West Iceland is still an active volcano. Volcanologist Haraldur Sigurðsson told Vísir that the study, by German researchers, shows that both the glacier and the neighbouring Ljósufjöll mountain range are active.
Haraldur wants the volcanoes, located on Snæfellsnes peninsula, to be monitored better, both in favor of civil protection and geological research.
Snæfellsjökull glacier has long been considered one of Iceland’s most beautiful mountains. Rising to an elevation of 1,446m (4,744ft) the glacier is 120 km (74 mi) from Reykjavík and can be seen from the capital on a clear day.
Jules Verne cemented Snæfellsjökull’s place in the world of literature by using the volcano as the entrance to a passage deep into earth in his famous novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Read more: 5 Things to know about Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Read more: Iceland's most notorious volcano is kept under close surveillance
The last eruption in Snæfellsjökull occurred around 1,700 years ago with Háahraun lava field, on the south coast of the peninsula, considered being the youngest lava flowing from volcano.
Ljósufjöll mountain range (1063 m/3488 ft.) last erupted around the year 900 or at the same time as Iceland was settled.
The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) monitors seismic activity around the Island but according to Haraldur IMO’s equipment do not pick up as detailed information as the new German study.
Previously believed to be borderline extinct new study shows that the magnificent Snæfellsjökull glacier in West Iceland is still an active volcano. Volcanologist Haraldur Sigurðsson told Vísir that the study, by German researchers, shows that both the glacier and the neighbouring Ljósufjöll mountain range are active.
Haraldur wants the volcanoes, located on Snæfellsnes peninsula, to be monitored better, both in favor of civil protection and geological research.
Snæfellsjökull glacier has long been considered one of Iceland’s most beautiful mountains. Rising to an elevation of 1,446m (4,744ft) the glacier is 120 km (74 mi) from Reykjavík and can be seen from the capital on a clear day.
Jules Verne cemented Snæfellsjökull’s place in the world of literature by using the volcano as the entrance to a passage deep into earth in his famous novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Read more: 5 Things to know about Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Read more: Iceland's most notorious volcano is kept under close surveillance
The last eruption in Snæfellsjökull occurred around 1,700 years ago with Háahraun lava field, on the south coast of the peninsula, considered being the youngest lava flowing from volcano.
Ljósufjöll mountain range (1063 m/3488 ft.) last erupted around the year 900 or at the same time as Iceland was settled.
The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) monitors seismic activity around the Island but according to Haraldur IMO’s equipment do not pick up as detailed information as the new German study.
