Global Volcanism Program

Torfajökull

Google Earth Placemark with Features

Cite Volcano Profile

Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes (Link to Torfajökull)

Iceland
Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province
Composite | Stratovolcano
1477 CE

Country
Volcanic Region
Landform | Volc Type
Last Known Eruption

63.892°N
19.122°W
1,280 m
4,199 ft
372050

Latitude
Longitude
Summit
Elevation
Volcano
Number

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports available for Torfajökull.

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

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

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

372050

1477 CE

1,280 m / 4,199 ft

63.892°N
19.122°W

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Composite

Volcano Types
Stratovolcano
Caldera
Fissure vent(s)
Lava dome(s)

Rock Types

Major
Rhyolite
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Dacite

Minor
Trachyandesite / Basaltic Trachyandesite

Tectonic Setting

Rift zone
Oceanic crust (< 15 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

0
0
7
16,304

Geological Summary

The Torfajökull central volcano, located north of Myrdalsjökull and south of Thorisvatn lake, is cut by a 12-km-wide caldera that formed during the Pleistocene. With about 225 km³ of silicic extrusive rocks exposed, it comprises the largest area of silicic and intermediate volcanism in Iceland. Work by Moles et al. (2019) identified the Ring Fracture Rhyolites as the source of the rhyolitic and trachyandesitic Thórsmörk Ignimbrite and the II-RHY-1 tephra, and dated them at 51.3 ± 4.2 ka (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar). The dominantly rhyolitic complex rises about 500 m above surrounding basaltic plains and is elongated WNW-ESE. Most rhyolitic lava flows were erupted subglacially, with silicic hyaloclastites that form ridge and dome-shaped breccias. During postglacial times only a narrow fissure zone at the western end has been active, producing mostly silicic lava flows, domes, and tephras. The most recent silicic eruption produced the Hrafntinnuhraun flow about 900 CE. The fissure system is along trend with and was active at the same time as the basaltic Veidivötn fissure system of Bárdarbunga central volcano in 1477 CE. The small Torfajökull icecap lies mostly outside the SE rim of the caldera, which is the site of vigorous thermal activity over a broad area of 130-140 km².

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Gudmundsson A T, 1986. Iceland-Fires. Reykjavik: Vaka-Helgafell, 168 p.

Gunnarsson B, Marsh B D, Taylor H P Jr, 1998. Generation of Icelandic rhyolites: silicic lavas from the Torfajokull central volcano. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 83: 1-45.

Jakobsson S P, 1979. Petrology of recent basalts of the eastern volcanic zone, Iceland. Acta Nat Islandica, 26: 1-103.

Johannesson H, Jakobsson S P, Saemundsson K, 1982. Geological map of Iceland, sheet 6, south Iceland. Icelandic Museum Nat Hist & Iceland Geodetic Surv, 1:250,000 geol map, 2nd edition.

Johannesson H, Saemundsson K, 1998. Geological map of Iceland, 1:500,000. Tectonics. Icelandic Inst Nat Hist, Reykjavik.

Larsen G, 1984. Recent volcanic history of the Veidivotn fissure swarm, southern Iceland - an approach to volcanic risk assessment. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 22: 33-58.

MacDonald R, McGarvie D W, Pinkerton H, Smith R L, Palacz Z A, 1990. Petrogenetic evolution of the Torfajokull Volcanic Complex, Iceland I. Relationship between the magma types. J Petr, 31: 429-459.

McGarvie D M, MacDonald R, Pinkerton H, Smith R L, 1990. Petrogenetic evolution of the Torfajokull Volcanic Complex, Iceland II. The role of magma mixing. J Petr, 31: 461-481.

McGarvie D W, Burgess R, Tindle A G, Tuffen H, Stevenson J A, 2006. Pleistocene rhyolitic volcanism at Torfajokull, Iceland: eruption ages, glaciovolcanism, and geochemical evolution. Jokull, 56: 57-75.

Saemundsson K, 1972. Notes on the geology of the Torfajokull central volcano. Natturufraedingurinn, 42: 81-89 (in Icelandic with English summary).

Saemundsson K, 1988. The geology of the Torfajokull region. Arbok Ferdafelags Islands 1988, p 164-180.

Soosalu H, Einarsson P, 1997. Seismicity around the Hekla and Torfajokull volcanoes, Iceland, during a volcanically quiet period, 1991-1995. Bull Volcanol, 59: 36-48.

Soosalu H, Einarsson P, 2004. Seismic constraints on magma chambers at Hekla and Torfajokull volcanoes, Iceland. Bull Volcanol, 66: 276-286.

Steinthorsson S, et al., 2002. Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World - Iceland. Unpublished manuscript.

Thordarson T, Hoskuldsson A, 2008. Postglacial eruptions in Iceland. Jokull, 58: 197-228.

Tuffen H, Gilbert J, McGarvie D, 2001. Products of an effusive subglacial rhyolite eruption: Blahnukur, Torfajokull, Iceland. Bull Volcanol, 63: 179-190.

Wilson L, Fagents S A, Robshaw L E, Scott E D, 2007. Vent geometry and eruptions conditions of the mixed rhyolite-basalt Namshraun lava flow, Iceland. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 164: 127-141.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 10 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1477 Mar Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

N of caldera (Namshraun, Laugahraun)

1477 Mar - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at N of caldera (Namshraun, Laugahraun)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Tephra
1477 Mar	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1170 (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

W side of caldera (Hrafntinnuhraun)

1170 (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at W side of caldera (Hrafntinnuhraun)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Tephra

0870 (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

W side of caldera (Hrafntinnuhraun)

0870 (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at W side of caldera (Hrafntinnuhraun)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
0870 (?)	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

0150 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

N of caldera (Domadalshraun)

0150 ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at N of caldera (Domadalshraun)

Start Date	End Date	Event Type
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Tephra
0150 ± 100 years	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1150 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

N of caldera (Domadalshraun)

1150 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at N of caldera (Domadalshraun)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow

1550 BCE ± 500 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

W side of caldera (Markafljot domes)

1550 BCE ± 500 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at W side of caldera (Markafljot domes)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow

4550 BCE ± 500 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

N of caldera (Haolduhraun)

4550 BCE ± 500 years - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at N of caldera (Haolduhraun)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow

4850 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

W of caldera (Laufafell domes)

4850 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at W of caldera (Laufafell domes)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow

5050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Hrafntinnusker and Domadalshraun

5050 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Hrafntinnusker and Domadalshraun

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow

6050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

W side of caldera (Slettahraun)

6050 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at W side of caldera (Slettahraun)

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow

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

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Bláhnúkur

Tuya

Gvendarhyran

Tuya

Illihnúkur

Tuya

Kirkjufell

Tuya

Raudfossafjöll

Tuya

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Domadalshraun

Fissure vent

680 m

64° 2' 0.00" N

19° 7' 0.00" W

Grakolluhraun

Fissure vent

64° 2' 0.00" N

19° 3' 0.00" W

Haolduhraun

Fissure vent

64° 0' 0.00" N

19° 10' 0.00" W

Hraftinnuhraun

Crater Row

944 m

63° 57' 0.00" N

19° 16' 0.00" W

Laufahraun

Fissure vent

63° 55' 0.00" N

19° 25' 0.00" W

Laugahraun

Crater Row

63° 59' 0.00" N

19° 5' 0.00" W

Merkurhraun

Fissure vent

64° 8' 0.00" N

19° 33' 0.00" W

Namshraun

Crater Row

64° 1' 0.00" N

19° 2' 0.00" W

Slettahraun

Fissure vent

63° 57' 0.00" N

19° 13' 0.00" W

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Hraftinnusker

Dome

1140 m

63° 56' 0.00" N

19° 11' 0.00" W

Laufafell

Dome

63° 56' 0.00" N

19° 21' 0.00" W

Markarfljot

Dome

63° 57' 0.00" N

19° 20' 0.00" W

Photo Gallery

The viscous Laugahraun lava flow was emplaced in 1477 CE just inside the northern rim of Torfajökull caldera. This thick flow extends for about 2 km, and at its widest (left to right in this image), is about 1.3 km. Other small lava flows were produced at the same time as the Laugahraun lava flow: the Námshraun and Norðumámshraun lavas to the northeast just outside the caldera rim, and the Frostastaðahraun further north on the fissure system. The light-colored deposits surrounding the darker lava flow are rhyolitic volcanics.

Photo by Richie Williams, 1981 (U.S. Geological Survey).

The silicic Hrafntinnuhraun eruption occurred in about 877 CE, producing about 0.18 km³ of lava and 0.4 km³ of tephra. An eruption column of up to 20 km high was associated with this Plinian eruption. The Hrafntinnuhraun lava flow stretches from the bottom left to top right in this image, with a stream running around its base on the left reflecting the sun.

Photo by Richie Williams, 1981 (U.S. Geological Survey).

The Torfajökull central volcano is cut by a 12 x 18 km caldera that formed during the Pleistocene. Torfajökull is of one of the largest areas of silicic and intermediate volcanism in Iceland. The Laugahraun (lower left) and Domadalshraun (right center) lava flows, seen here from the SE, are located just within and north of, respectively, the northern caldera rim. At least 12 eruptions have occurred in the last 9,000 years with activity concentrated in the west.

Photo by Oddur Sigurdsson, 1977 (Icelandic National Energy Authority).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 5 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 117551-114	Unidentified	--	--
NMNH 117551-115	Unidentified	--	--
NMNH 117551-54	Unidentified	Domadalshraun Lava Field	--
NMNH 117551-55	Obsidian	Hrafntinnuhraun	--
NMNH 117551-56	Obsidian	Laugahraun lava flow	--

External Sites

Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes (Link to Torfajökull)

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.

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.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing 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 Torfajökull. 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.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Torfajökull. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Torfajökull

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).