Öræfajökull

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Öræfajökull, Glacier volcano mountain in southeastern Iceland

Öræfajökull rises to 2110 meters above sea level, featuring a massive ice-covered caldera measuring 3 kilometers by 4 kilometers at its summit.

The volcanic eruption of 1362 expelled 10 cubic kilometers of tephra across western Europe, causing the complete abandonment of the Litlahérað district for 40 years.

The name change from Knappafellsjǫkull to Öræfajökull reflects the Norse settlers' observation of the landscape transformation from inhabited area to uninhabitable terrain.

Visitors access the mountain through guided tours departing from the Ring Road between Höfn and Vík, requiring specialized equipment for glacier hiking.

The mountain contains both basalt and rhyolite formations, supporting the largest active volcano structure in Iceland beneath its glacial cover.

Location: Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður

Elevation above the sea: 2,110 m

Made from material: basalt, rhyolite

GPS coordinates: 63.55812,-16.87060

Latest update: May 23, 2025 18:54

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