Hofsjökull

Hofsjökull (Icelandic: “temple glacier”) is the third largest ice cap in Iceland after Vatnajökull and Langjökull and the largest active volcano in the country.[1] It is situated in the west of the Highlands of Iceland and north of the mountain range Kerlingarfjöll, between the two largest glaciers of Iceland. It covers an area of 925 km2, reaching 1,765 m (5,791 ft) at its summit.[2] The subglacial volcano is a shield type with caldera.[3]

Hofsjökull
Satellite image of Hofsjökull.
Highest point
Elevation1,782 metres (5,846 ft)
Prominence≈1100 m
Coordinates64°49′N 18°49′W 
Geography
LocationSouthwestern Iceland
Geology
Age of rockHolocene
Mountain typeSubglacial shield volcano with caldera
The picture shows Arnarfell hiðmikla (Great Eagle Mountain) in the middle, Múlajökull glacier to the left and Þjórsárjökull glacier to the right.

Hofsjökull is the source of several rivers including the Þjórsá, Iceland's longest river.[4]

In the southeast of Iceland, between the easternmost glacier tongue of Vatnajökull (Axajökull) and Þrándarjökull, there is a smaller glacier (area about 4 km²), which is also called Hofsjökull.

In 2015, Hofsjökull increased in mass, the first time in 20 years this had happened.[5]

See also

Notes
  1. Thordarson & Hoskuldsson, p. 72
  2. National Land Survey of Iceland (2001), National Land Survey of Iceland – Geographical information, archived from the original on 2010-04-06, retrieved 2008-08-14/
  3. Thordarson & Hoskuldsson, p. 29
  4. Thordarson & Hoskuldsson, p. 83
  5. http://en.vedur.is/about-imo/news/nr/3229

References
  • Thordurson, Thor; Hoskuldsson, Armann (2002), Classic Geology in Europe 3: Iceland, Harpenden, England: Terra Publishing, ISBN 1-903544-06-8

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