Hengill
Encyclopedia
The Hengill central volcano is situated in the southwest of Iceland
, to the south of Þingvellir
. The volcano covers an area of about 100 km².
The volcano
is still active, evidenced by the numerous hot springs
and fumarole
s, but the last eruption occurred approximately 2000 years ago.
The volcano is an important source of energy
for the south of the country, which is captured at the Nesjavellir power station (near the western shore of the lake Þingvallavatn
) and the Hellisheiði power station
(approximately 11 km south and west of Nesjavellir). Both stations are operated by Orkuveita Reykjavíkur
(Reykjavik Energy).
The area with its mountains and hot springs
is well suited for hiking
and there are a lot of hiking trails.
The small town of Hveragerði
with its multitude of hot springs is also part of the Hengill area.
Some folk tales and saga
s are connected to the region. For example, a young farmer is said to have killed the sleeping troll
woman Jóra while she lay in wait for innocent wanderers or horsemen on the trail over Dyrafjöll.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, to the south of Þingvellir
Þingvellir
|Thing]] Fields) is a place in Bláskógabyggð in southwestern Iceland, near the peninsula of Reykjanes and the Hengill volcanic area. Þingvellir is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. It is the site of a rift...
. The volcano covers an area of about 100 km².
The volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
is still active, evidenced by the numerous hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
and fumarole
Fumarole
A fumarole is an opening in a planet's crust, often in the neighborhood of volcanoes, which emits steam and gases such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrochloric acid, and hydrogen sulfide. The steam is created when superheated water turns to steam as its pressure drops when it emerges from...
s, but the last eruption occurred approximately 2000 years ago.
The volcano is an important source of energy
Energy
In physics, energy is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems...
for the south of the country, which is captured at the Nesjavellir power station (near the western shore of the lake Þingvallavatn
Þingvallavatn
Þingvallavatn is a lake in south-western Iceland. With a surface of 84 km² it is the largest natural lake in Iceland. Its greatest depth is at 114 m. At the northern shore of the lake, at Þingvellir , the Alþingi, the national parliament, was founded in the year 930.The lake is part of the...
) and the Hellisheiði power station
Hellisheiði Power Station
The Hellisheiði Power Station is the second largest geothermal power station in the world, and the largest in Iceland. The facility is located in Hengill, southwest Iceland, from the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. As of October 2011, the plant produces of electricity and 133 MW of hot...
(approximately 11 km south and west of Nesjavellir). Both stations are operated by Orkuveita Reykjavíkur
Orkuveita Reykjavíkur
Orkuveita Reykjavíkur is an Icelandic utility company that provides electricity, geothermal water for heating, and cold water for consumption and fire fighting. It also operates a data-utility network and waste-treatment facilities. The company's service area extends to 20 communities in the...
(Reykjavik Energy).
The area with its mountains and hot springs
Hot Springs
Hot Springs may refer to:* Hot Springs, Arkansas** Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas*Hot Springs, California**Hot Springs, Lassen County, California**Hot Springs, Modoc County, California**Hot Springs, Placer County, California...
is well suited for hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
and there are a lot of hiking trails.
The small town of Hveragerði
Hveragerði
Hveragerði is a town and municipality in the south of Iceland located 45 km to the east of Reykjavík on Iceland's main ringroad, Route 1.The river Varmá runs through the town. The population was 2,316 on 1 January 2011.-Overview:...
with its multitude of hot springs is also part of the Hengill area.
Some folk tales and saga
Saga
Sagas, are stories in Old Norse about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, etc.Saga may also refer to:Business*Saga DAB radio, a British radio station*Saga Airlines, a Turkish airline*Saga Falabella, a department store chain in Peru...
s are connected to the region. For example, a young farmer is said to have killed the sleeping troll
Troll
A troll is a supernatural being in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In origin, the term troll was a generally negative synonym for a jötunn , a being in Norse mythology...
woman Jóra while she lay in wait for innocent wanderers or horsemen on the trail over Dyrafjöll.
External links
- Hiking in Hengill Topographical map and trail descriptions