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Geysir

Photo of this volcano
  • Iceland
  • Stratovolcano
  • Pleistocene
  •  
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 64.32°N
  • 20.3°W

  • 700 m
    2297 ft

  • 371803
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports for Geysir.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Geysir.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Geysir.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

The Global Volcanism Program is not aware of any Holocene eruptions from Geysir. If this volcano has had large eruptions (VEI >= 4) prior to 10,000 years ago, information might be found on the Geysir page in the LaMEVE (Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions) database, a part of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Geysir.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Geysir.

Photo Gallery

The Strockur geyser is a prominent feature of the Geysir geothermal field, located south of Hveravellir central volcano. The volcano lies beneath the Langjökull icecap at the northern end of an active volcanic zone that extends to the NE from the Reykjanes Peninsula. Several shield volcanoes have been constructed along flank fissure zones, and postglacial lava flows flank Langjökull on the northern, western, and eastern sides. The massive Hallmundahraun lava flow, which covers 200 km2, was erupted shortly after 900 CE.

From the collection of Maurice and Katia Krafft.
The Geysir thermal area, containing Iceland's largest geysers, lies in the Haukadalur basin, just east of the southern end of the extensive Oddnyjarhnjukur-Langjokull volcanic system. Here a geyser can be seen ejecting water and steam to about 20 m high.

Photo by Bill Rose, 1975 (Michigan Technological University).
Iceland's largest geysers are located in the Haukadalur basin, part of the Geysir volcanic system, just east of the southern end of the Oddnyjarhnjukur-Langjokull fissure system. Here, the Strokkur geyser can be seen just as a burst of boiling water and steam erupts from a pool. This geyser erupts about every 10 minutes, producing a short-lived fountain that usually reaches about 20 m.

Photo by Bill Rose, 1975 (Michigan Technological University).
Steam rises from the Geysir geothermal area with the rhyolitic Laugarfjall lava dome in the middle ground behind the mounds of reddish hydrothermally altered clays. The basaltic Bjarnarfjell complex lies on the horizon. The Geysir volcanic system lends its name to geysers around the world and is one of the most frequently visited geological sites in Iceland. No eruptions are known from this volcanic system during the Holocene, although geothermal activity continues and the Strokkur geyser is in almost continuous activity.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 2008 (Smithsonian Institution).
GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

There are no samples for Geysir in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites