Kverkfjöll
Encyclopedia
The mountain range Kverkfjöll (1,764 m) is situated on the north-eastern border of the glacier
Vatnajökull
in Iceland
. With their glacier Kverkjökull, they are to be found between the Vatnajökull and the Dyngjufjöll (s. Askja
). The mountains are still active volcano
es. Especially around 1720, they were often erupting and causing glacier runs.
Under the mountains, there is a very big and hot magma
chamber which lead to the originating of glacier caves. Currently, they cannot be visited because of the risk of collapse.
In a certain distance, there are the hot springs
of Hveradalir.
The oasis Hvannalindir lies between the Kverkjöll and Askja.
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Iceland. It is located in the south-east of the island, covering more than 8% of the country.-Size:With an area of 8,100 km², Vatnajökull is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume and the second largest in area Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in...
in Iceland
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...
. With their glacier Kverkjökull, they are to be found between the Vatnajökull and the Dyngjufjöll (s. Askja
Askja
Askja is a stratovolcano situated in a remote part of the central highlands of Iceland. The name Askja refers to a complex of nested calderas within the surrounding Dyngjufjöll mountains, which rise to , askja meaning box or caldera in Icelandic-Location:The region is only accessible for a few...
). The mountains are still active 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...
es. Especially around 1720, they were often erupting and causing glacier runs.
Under the mountains, there is a very big and hot magma
Magma
Magma is a mixture of molten rock, volatiles and solids that is found beneath the surface of the Earth, and is expected to exist on other terrestrial planets. Besides molten rock, magma may also contain suspended crystals and dissolved gas and sometimes also gas bubbles. Magma often collects in...
chamber which lead to the originating of glacier caves. Currently, they cannot be visited because of the risk of collapse.
In a certain distance, there are the 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...
of Hveradalir.
The oasis Hvannalindir lies between the Kverkjöll and Askja.
See also
- Glaciers of IcelandGlaciers of IcelandThe glaciers and ice caps of Iceland cover 11.1% of the land area of the country and have a considerable impact on its landscape and meteorology...
- Iceland plumeIceland plumeThe Iceland Plume is a postulated upwelling of anomalously hot rock in the Earth's mantle beneath Iceland. Its origin is thought to lie deep in the mantle, perhaps at the boundary between the core and the mantle at ca. 2880 km depth. Opinions differ as to whether seismic studies have imaged...
- Lakes of Iceland
- List of volcanoes in Iceland
- Volcanism in Iceland