| Country | Iceland |
| Volcanic Region | Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province |
| Landform | Volc Type | Composite | Stratovolcano |
| Last Known Eruption | 200 CE |
| Coordinates | 64.8°N, 23.783°W |
| Elevation | 1,446 m (4,744 ft) |
| Volcano Number | 370010 |
 Google Earth Placemark with Features
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 Cite Volcano Profile
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Cite this Report
IMO reported that the Alert Level for Snaefellsjokull was raised from Gray (insufficient monitoring) to Green (normal, non-eruptive) on 12 November, reflecting the recent installation of three seismic stations along the peninsula. The new instruments will allow for better coverage and sensitivity for the detection of seismic unrest. The Alert Level scale consists of five colors.
The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Snaefellsjökull.
2020: November
Cite this Report
IMO reported that the Alert Level for Snaefellsjokull was raised from Gray (insufficient monitoring) to Green (normal, non-eruptive) on 12 November, reflecting the recent installation of three seismic stations along the peninsula. The new instruments will allow for better coverage and sensitivity for the detection of seismic unrest. The Alert Level scale consists of five colors.
The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Snaefellsjökull.
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There is data available for 10 confirmed eruptive periods.
0200 ± 150 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | Tephra layer Sn-1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 0200 ± 150 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer Sn-1
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1000 BCE ± 500 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | NW flank (Raudhólar) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 BCE ± 500 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at NW flank (Raudhólar)
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2010 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | Tephra layer Sn-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2010 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer Sn-2
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2270 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 0
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | South flank (Thufuhraun) | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2270 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | ||||||||||||||||||
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List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at South flank (Thufuhraun)
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2400 BCE ± 200 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2 (?)
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | NE flank (800 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2400 BCE ± 200 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at NE flank (800 m)
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2970 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 0
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | SE flank (Dagverdarahraun) | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 2970 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | ||||||||||||||||||
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List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at SE flank (Dagverdarahraun)
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4050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 0
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | West flank (Ondverdarnesholar) | ||||||||||||||||||
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| 4050 BCE (?) - Unknown | Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology | ||||||||||||||||||
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List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at West flank (Ondverdarnesholar)
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4550 BCE ± 1500 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | East of Snaefellsjökull (Budaklettur) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4550 BCE ± 1500 years - Unknown | Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at East of Snaefellsjökull (Budaklettur)
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6050 BCE ± 1000 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | Tephra layer Sn-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6050 BCE ± 1000 years - Unknown | Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Tephra layer Sn-3
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8460 BCE ± 200 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)
| Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) | |||||||||||||||||||
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| 8460 BCE ± 200 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | ||||||||||||||||||
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List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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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.
Cones |
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| Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
| Bardarlaug | Cone | 120 m | 64° 46' 0.00" N | 23° 41' 0.00" W |
| Budaklettur | Cone | 88 m | 64° 48' 0.00" N | 23° 26' 0.00" W |
| Holaholar | Cone | 113 m | 64° 47' 0.00" N | 23° 56' 0.00" W |
| Holatindar | Cone | 670 m | 64° 47' 41.00" N | 23° 50' 33.00" W |
| Kviahnukur
Kviahnjukur |
Cone | 688 m | 64° 47' 8.00" N | 23° 43' 48.00" W |
| Ljosakrida | Cone | 696 m | 64° 49' 15.00" N | 23° 50' 45.00" W |
| Ondverdarnesholar | Shield volcano | 100 m | 64° 51' 0.00" N | 24° 0' 0.00" W |
| Purkholl
Purkholar |
Cone | 135 m | 64° 45' 12.00" N | 23° 49' 21.00" W |
| Raudholar | Cone | 180 m | 64° 52' 0.00" N | 23° 53' 0.00" W |
| Saxholar | Cone | 104 m | 64° 51' 6.00" N | 23° 55' 34.00" W |
| Sjonarholl | Cone | 64° 51' 0.00" N | 23° 51' 0.00" W | |
| Svalthufa | Cone | 40 m | 64° 44' 0.00" N | 23° 47' 0.00" W |
| Svortutindar | Cone | 819 m | 64° 49' 52.00" N | 23° 50' 45.00" W |
| Toppgig | Cone | 64° 48' 0.00" N | 23° 49' 0.00" W | |
The Búðaklettur scoria cone on the east flank of Snæfellsjökull in western Iceland was the source of the Búðahraun lava flow covering 18 km2 and forming a peninsula. Holocene lava flows form much of the surrounding coastline.
Lýsuhóll, Iceland's smallest volcanic system, consists of small scoria cones and vents in a roughly NW-SE trend along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the center of this photo. The cones and vents are seen here from the ENE and are located between the snow-covered Helgrindur mountains in the foreground and the glaciated Snæfellsjökull in the background. 
Glaciated Snæfellsjökull towers above Breiðavík bay at the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. Numerous cones have formed across the flanks and Holocene lava flows extend across the entire western half of the edifice to the sea. One recent flow that reached the coast on the eastern flank can be seen in the left side of the photo.The following 1 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.
| Catalog Number | Sample Description | Lava Source | Collection Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMNH 115623 | Olivine Tholeiite | -- | -- |
| Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes (Link to Snaefellsjökull) | The Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes is an interactive, web-based tool, containing information on volcanic systems that belong to the active volcanic zones of Iceland. It is a collaboration of the Icelandic Meteorological Office (the state volcano observatory), the Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland, and the Civil Protection Department of the National Commissioner of the Iceland Police, with contributions from a large number of specialists in Iceland and elsewhere. This official publication is intended to serve as an accurate and up-to-date source of information about active volcanoes in Iceland and their characteristics. The Catalogue forms a part of an integrated volcanic risk assessment project in Iceland GOSVÁ (commenced in 2012), as well as being part of the effort of FUTUREVOLC (2012-2016) on establishing an Icelandic volcano supersite. |
| Copernicus Browser | The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions. |
| MIROVA | Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity. |
| MODVOLC Thermal Alerts | Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales. |
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WOVOdat
Single Volcano View Temporal Evolution of Unrest Side by Side Volcanoes |
WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments. |
| Volcanic Hazard Maps | The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter. |
| EarthScope Consortium SAGE seismic stations/networks | EarthScope Consortium operates the NSF Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (GAGE) and NSF Seismological Facility for the Advancement of Geoscience (SAGE). The linked map shows the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Snaefellsjökull. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice. |
| Large Eruptions of Snaefellsjökull | Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA). |
| EarthChem | EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). |
