Þórisjökull
Encyclopedia
Þórisjökull or Thórisjökull (Icelandic
for "Thóris's glacier") is a small glacier
and volcano
in western-central Iceland
, to the southwest of Langjökull
glacier. It has an elevation of 1350 metres (4,429.1 ft). Kaldidalur
lies in the foreground.
to its east. The "Cold valley" (translation of Kaldidalur) is lying between them with its famous highland road of the same name.
from the Ice Age
(in Iceland from 100,000 years ago til about 10,000 years ago). Its mountain part consists mainly of hyaloclastite
s. The glacier was part of Langjökull glacier probably til the end of the 18th century.
Some geological research was made again on the Þórisjökull and Prestahnúkur
area in 2009 and it shows clearly active volcanic fissures under the glacier which are part of the Prestahnúkur volcanic system (see weblink, Icelandic Meteorological Institute).
) which is said to have been lived in a cave nearby.
Icelandic language
Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...
for "Thóris's glacier") is a small glacier
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...
and 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...
in western-central 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...
, to the southwest of Langjökull
Langjökull
Langjökull is the second largest ice cap in Iceland , after Vatnajökull. It is situated in the west of the Icelandic interior or Highlands of Iceland and can be seen clearly from Haukadalur....
glacier. It has an elevation of 1350 metres (4,429.1 ft). Kaldidalur
Kaldidalur
The Kaldidalsvegur is the shortest of the highland tracks traversing the Highlands of Iceland, therefore the nickname "highlands for beginners". Its name derives from the valley it crosses: kaldidalur means "cold dale/valley"...
lies in the foreground.
Position
þórisjökull is situated between Langjökull glacier and the shield volcano OkOk (glacier)
Ok is a shield volcano in Iceland, to the west of Langjökull. It erupted during interglacials in the Pleistocene. The glacier on top is thought to have disappeared ....
to its east. The "Cold valley" (translation of Kaldidalur) is lying between them with its famous highland road of the same name.
The volcano
The glacier volcano Þórisjökull is a tuyaTuya
A tuya is a type of distinctive, flat-topped, steep-sided volcano formed when lava erupts through a thick glacier or ice sheet. They are somewhat rare worldwide, being confined to regions which were covered by glaciers and also had active volcanism during the same time period.-Formation:Tuyas are...
from the Ice Age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
(in Iceland from 100,000 years ago til about 10,000 years ago). Its mountain part consists mainly of hyaloclastite
Hyaloclastite
Hyaloclastite is a hydrated tuff-like breccia rich in black volcanic glass, formed during volcanic eruptions under water, under ice or where subaerial flows reach the sea or other bodies of water. It has the appearance of angular flat fragments sized between a millimeter to few centimeters...
s. The glacier was part of Langjökull glacier probably til the end of the 18th century.
Some geological research was made again on the Þórisjökull and Prestahnúkur
Prestahnúkur
The volcano Prestahnúkur is situated in the west of the Highlands of Iceland to the west of Langjökull glacier, or to be more specific, to the west of Geitlandsjökull glacier, a part of the Langjökull.-The volcanic system:...
area in 2009 and it shows clearly active volcanic fissures under the glacier which are part of the Prestahnúkur volcanic system (see weblink, Icelandic Meteorological Institute).
The name
The name comes from the name of the troll Þóri (from Grettis SagaGrettis saga
Grettis saga is one of the Icelanders' sagas. It details the life of Grettir Ásmundarson, a bellicose Icelandic outlaw.- Overview :...
) which is said to have been lived in a cave nearby.