Hekla Volcano
Updated: Mar 19, 2024 03:49 GMT -
stratovolcano 1491 m (4,892 ft)
Iceland, 63.99°N / -19.67°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Iceland, 63.99°N / -19.67°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 15 Dec 2021
Hekla in eruption in March 2000 with the large black lava flow in the foreground from that eruption.
1491-m-high Hekla is one of Iceland's most prominent, most known and active volcanoes. It has frequent eruptions that start with an explosive onset producing eruption plumes, then lava fountains and culminate in large lava flows. Most of the volcano's flanks are covered by extensive lava flows from historical eruptions, dating back to 1104 AD.
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Hekla volcano eruptions: 1104 (large, Plinian eruption), 1158, 1206, 1222, 1300, 1341, 1389, 1440(?), 1510, 1554, 1597, 1636-37, 1693, 1725, 1766-68, 1845-46, 1878, 1913, 1947-48, 1970, 1980, 1981, 1991, 2000
Latest nearby earthquakes
Time | Mag. / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
Mar 15, 08:19 am (universal) Mar 15, 08:19 GMT | 1.4 1.4 km | 15 km (9.2 mi) to the E | 12.4 Km Nw of Álftavatn | Info | |
Thursday, March 14, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
Mar 14, 09:56 am (universal) Mar 14, 09:56 GMT | 1.8 1.2 km | 1.3 km (0.8 mi) to the W | 1.3 Km W of Hekla | Info | |
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
Mar 13, 11:16 am (universal) Mar 13, 11:16 GMT | 1.6 0.1 km | 25 km (15 mi) to the E | 7.2 Km NNE of Álftavatn | Info | |
Thursday, March 7, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
Mar 7, 03:54 am (universal) Mar 7, 03:54 GMT | 1.6 0.1 km | 18 km (11 mi) to the E | 10.8 Km NNW of Álftavatn | Info | |
Monday, March 18, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
Mar 18, 12:11 pm (universal) Mar 18, 12:11 GMT | 0.9 2.2 km | 26 km (16 mi) to the E | 3.5 km WSW of Landmannalaugar | Info | |
Friday, March 15, 2024 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
Mar 15, 12:24 am (universal) Mar 15, 00:24 GMT | 0.9 0.1 km | 17 km (10.4 mi) to the E | 12.5 Km Nnw of Álftavatn | Info |
Background
Hekla is located near the southern end of the eastern rift zone. It sits on a rift-transform junction, and has produced basaltic andesites, in contrast to the tholeiitic basalts typical of Icelandic rift zone volcanoes. Hekla's tephras are generally rich in flourine, which is very hazardous to grazing animals.The elongated shape of the volcano is caused by a 5.5-km-long fissure, Heklugjá, that cuts across the volcano and is often active along its full length during major eruptions. Repeated such eruptions, oblique to most rifting structures in the eastern volcanic zone, have created Hekla's elongated ENE-WSW profile.
Frequent large explosive eruptions during historical times have deposited tephra throughout Iceland and provide important time markers that can be used to date eruptions from other volcanoes in Iceland.
Hekla Volcano Photos
Gjárfoss waterfall in the basaltic gorge of Gjáin near Hekla volcano, Iceland (Photo: Janka)
The contours of Mount Hekla materialising in the hazy evening light behind a volcanic ridge. Near Hrauneyjalón, southern boundary of the Icelandic Highlands - 13 Septmeb...