Katla

Katla rises to 1450 meters beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, featuring a 10-kilometer-wide caldera composed of basalt and rhyolite formations.

The volcano has produced over twenty major eruptions since 2920 BC, with the last significant event occurring in 1918, extending Iceland's southern coastline by 5 kilometers.

The volcano's name derives from the Icelandic word for kettle, reflecting the traditional naming practices based on physical characteristics of natural formations.

Scientists monitor the volcano through seismic sensors, water gauges, and ice thickness measurements to detect potential eruption signs and prevent hazardous situations.

Katla generates approximately 4 percent of global volcanic carbon dioxide emissions, making it one of Earth's largest volcanic carbon dioxide sources.

Location: Mýrdalshreppur

Elevation above the sea: 1,450 m

Made from material: basalt, rhyolite

GPS coordinates: 63.62999,-19.04997

Latest update: May 28, 2025 18:30