Theistareykjarbunga

Highest pointElevation564 m (1,850 ft)^[1]ListingList of volcanoes in IcelandCoordinates calderas, central volcanoes and fissure swarms, subglacial terrain above 1,100 m (3,600 ft), and seismically active areas. Clicking on the image enlarges to full window and enables mouse-over with more detail.

Theistareykjarbunga (Þeistareykjarbunga, Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈθeistaˌreiːcarˌpuŋka] ^ⓘ) is a shield volcano in northeastern Iceland with two fissure vents called Þeistareykjahraun [ˈθeiːstaˌreiːcaˌr̥œyːn] and Borgahraun [ˈpɔrkaˌr̥œyːn], and two cones: the 370 m (1,210 ft) Stórahversmór [ˈstouːraˌkʰvɛr̥sˌmouːr̥] and the 540 m (1,770 ft), 30 km³ (7.2 cu mi) Stóravíti [ˈstouːraˌviːtɪ]. They both are currently extinct.^[1] The multiple vents make up the Theistareykir^[1] (Þeistareykir) volcanic system, with more recent evidence that the former classification as a shield volcano is better considered an embryonic central volcano with associated fissure swarm, as rhyolite has erupted in a limited area.^[2] The recent lava has picrite, olivine tholeiite basalt characteristics but before the ice age there were basaltic andesite and rhyolite eruptions.^[2] There is a central high temperature geothermal area with numerous steam vents and fumaroles.^[2]

Eruptions

There have been three dated eruptions, all VEI-0: the most recent eruption was around 900 BCE and the previous eruption was in 6800 BCE. Around 9500 BCE, an eruption produced approximately 18 billion cubic metres of basaltic lava.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "Þeistareykir". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2021-06-25.
^ ^a ^b ^c Grönvold, K.; Sæmundsson, K. (2019). "Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes:Þeistareykir". Icelandic Meteorological Office, Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland, Civil Protection Department of the National Commissioner of the Iceland Police. Retrieved 28 January 2024.