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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)
Last update: 15 Dec 2021
Hekla in eruption in March 2000 with the large black lava flow in the foreground from that eruption.
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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Typical eruption style: Explosive and effusive.
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

TimeMag. / DepthDistance / 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

Latest satellite images

Hekla satellite image sat1Hekla satellite image sat2
Mon, 15 Nov 2021, 21:05

Hekla volcano (Iceland): increased number of earthquakes in the area

Earthquakes near Hekla volcano in the past 7 days
Aftershocks of Thursday's strong magnitude 5.2 quake under neighboring Vatnafjöll volcano continue with more than 50 tremors detected over the past 48 hours. ... Read all
Tue, 14 Apr 2015, 11:43

Hekla volcano (Iceland): earthquake swarms

Epicenters of recent earthquakes south of Hekla
Small earthquake swarms occurred at shallow depths during the past days near the volcano. The quakes were located approx. 6-10 km south of Hekla volcano and at shallow depths around 5 km. ... Read all

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