Tindfjallajökull

Tindfjallajökull, aerial view

Tindfjallajökull in the background beyond the Þórsmörk

The Tindfjallajökull is a glacier volcano in southern Iceland. At its highest point, the summit Ýmir, it is 1462 m high.

Behalf of the summit

Also another summit, YMA, is as Ýmir on the edge of the summit caldera. These and other minor peaks have all the names of giants, dwarves and other creatures of Norse mythology (see Edda ). However, the names are given only in modern times, from the Middle Ages are not names of these peaks handed.

Location

Tindfjallajökull is located in the south of the country above Fljótshlíð and adjoins the Þórsmörk. To the east of it is the glacier shield of Mýrdalsjökull, south of the Eyjafjallajökull. In its southern advance are the tips of the Tindfjöll.

Glacier

Also the Tindfjallajökull subject to the tendency to melting of glaciers due to climate change. Its area was 1989 indicated 26.8 km2. 20 years out of his area only 15 km2. Meanwhile, he is thus one of the smallest glacier in Iceland.

The glacier is located on the northwestern edge of the summit caldera.

Volcano

Under this glacier lies a powerful central volcano with magma chamber that is approximately 52,000 years ago was the last major outbreak. To the east of the mountain is also a logical Rhyolithgebiet that this is a SiO2 - rich rocks, which occurs generally in central volcanoes.

It is one of the few Strato volcanoes in Iceland.

Years ago, about 200,000 during the warm periods on the mountain, a very large explosive eruption, the glowing clouds and pyroclastic flows sent in all directions occurred. V.A. In some places in the Valley of the Þórsmörk Ignimbritablagerungen are meters thick. In another such eruption about 53,000 years ago, the magma chamber collapsed into him, the great caldera, which is very visible from the air formed.

Some further outbreaks V.A. the north and west of the central volcano in the late Ice Age and the early modern period detectable ( in Iceland 9,000 years ago).

Three high-temperature areas are located in the area of ​​Tindfjallajökull among others between the rivers Innri and Fremri - Botna.

The eponymous mountain massif of the Tindfjöll, which is characterized by its rugged mountain peaks ( Isl = Tindar ), located in the south of the glacier volcano and is connected to it.

Mountaineering

The glacier is a popular destination for mountaineers and skiers. Therefore located at its foot three huts of the Icelandic Touring Association. The oldest dates from 1945.

Some rivers have their source area on Tindfjallajökull: Vala, a tributary of the Eystri - Rangá and Hvítmaga, Innri and Fremri - Botnsá, which open into the Markarfljót.