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Kverkfjöll

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 64.653°N
  • 16.647°W

  • 1930 m
    6332 ft

  • 373050
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number
Most Recent Weekly Report: 14 August-20 August 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

On 15 August park rangers noted unusually high water in the Volgu River, which originates from a water-filled depression called Gengissig in a geothermal area of Kverkfjöll; the high water destroyed a walking bridge. The next day an overflight of the area by members of National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police (NCIP), the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), and the Institute of Earth Sciences revealed that Gengissig was empty and that a phreatic explosion had deposited streaks of dark material on the rock and snow.

Source: National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police (NCIP) Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management

Weekly Reports - Index


2013: August


14 August-20 August 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

On 15 August park rangers noted unusually high water in the Volgu River, which originates from a water-filled depression called Gengissig in a geothermal area of Kverkfjöll; the high water destroyed a walking bridge. The next day an overflight of the area by members of National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police (NCIP), the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), and the Institute of Earth Sciences revealed that Gengissig was empty and that a phreatic explosion had deposited streaks of dark material on the rock and snow.

Source: National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police (NCIP) Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management


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

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

There is data available for 8 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1968 May 23 - 1968 Jun 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1968 May 23 - 1968 Jun 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1959 Jul 2 ± 182 days Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1959 Jul 2 ± 182 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

1929 Jan - 1929 Feb Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Hveradalur area
1929 Jan - 1929 Feb Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Hveradalur area

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra
1929 Jan    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1729 Aug Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1729 Aug - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Jokulhaup
1729 Aug    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1729 Feb 15 ± 45 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1729 Feb 15 ± 45 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Jokulhaup
1729 Feb 15 ± 45 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1655 Apr 15 ± 45 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1655 Apr 15 ± 45 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Jokulhaup
1655 Apr 15 ± 45 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5000 BCE ± 1000 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Krepputunguhraun, Kverfjallahraun
5000 BCE ± 1000 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Krepputunguhraun, Kverfjallahraun

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

7050 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Arnadalsoldugjoska
7050 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Arnadalsoldugjoska

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
Deformation History

There is data available for 1 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.


Deformation during 2007 Feb - 2008 Apr [Uplift; Observed by GPS, InSAR]

Start Date: 2007 Feb Stop Date: 2008 Apr Direction: Uplift Method: GPS, InSAR
Magnitude: 6.000 cm Spatial Extent: Unknown Latitude: Unknown Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: A deep dyke intrusion at Upptyppingar in the Kverkfjoll volcanic system was likely ehanced by a retreating ice cap.

Figure (see Caption)

Satellite radar and GPS data, and corresponding model results. a,b, Ascending track 230 spanning 27 June 2007 to 16 July 2008. c,d, Descending track 467 spanning 14 July 2007 to 28 June 2008. a and c show the observations with each colour fringe representing 28 mm of displacement toward the satellite. b and d show the modelled radar displacements together with horizontal GPS velocities, observed in black, with 95% confidence ellipses, and modelled in white. Also shown are the surface projections of the model source patches given in Fig. 3 (white rectangles), and catalogue earthquake epicentres for the entire intrusion period27 (black circles).

From: Hooper et al. 2011.


Reference List: Hooper et al. 2011.

Full References:

Hooper A, Ófeigsson B, Sigmundsson F, Lund B, Geirsson H, Einarsson P, Sturkell E, 2011. Increased capture of magma in the crust promoted by ice-cap retreat in Iceland. Nature Geosci, 4, 783-786. https://doi.org/10.1038/NGEO1269

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Kverkfjöll.

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 Kverkfjöll in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.

External Sites