Geology of Reykjanes Peninsula

Rifting and hot spot activity in Iceland
Volcanism at Reykjanes Peninsula: Craters and lavas from the 13th century, acidic lake from geothermal power station, steam vents and hydrothermal alteration (Reykjanes volcanic system)
Öskjuhlíð
Þráinskjöldur displaying its very gentle slope with Keilir and mountains of the Krýsuvík Volcanic System
Keilir subglacial cone, surrounded by lavas and other volcanic landforms of Holocene shield volcano Þráinskjóldur as well as fissures and faults
Other subglacial volcanoes on Reykjanes Peninsula: Litla Sandfell with tuya Geitafell (Brennisteinsfjöll) behind

The Reykjanes Peninsula (Icelandic: Reykjanesskagi [ˈreiːcaˌnɛːsˌskaijɪ]) in southwest Iceland is the continuation of the mostly submarine Reykjanes Ridge, a part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, on land and reaching from Esja in the north and Hengill in the east to Reykjanestá in the west.[1] Suðurnes (transl. Southern Peninsula) is an administrative unit covering part of Reykjanes Peninsula.

A great deal of volcanic activity was occurring in the Reykjanes Peninsula in 2020 and into 2021, after nearly 800 years of inactivity. After the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano on 19 March 2021, National Geographic's experts predicted that this "may mark the start of decades of volcanic activity". The eruption was small leading to a prediction that this volcano was unlikely to threaten "any population centers".[2]

  1. ^ Pedersen, G.B.M.; Grosse, P. (2014). "Morphometry of subaerial shield volcanoes and glaciovolcanoes from Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland: Effects of eruption environment" (PDF). Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research. 282: 115–133. Bibcode:2014JVGR..282..115P. doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2014.06.008. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Eruption in Iceland may mark the start of decades of volcanic activity". Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.