Búrfell (Þjórsárdal)

Búrfell to Þjórsá

The mountain Búrfell is a 669 m high panel volcano in southern Iceland's highlands.

Name

The name of the mountain, Búrfell, in German means pantry mountain. There are numerous mountains in Iceland that name, so they are distinguished by epithets.

Volcanism

The panel volcano is within the control of Hekla.

It was created during the Ice Age, which lasted on Iceland until about 10,000 years ago.

The floor of the valley Þjórsá from which protrudes the mountain is covered by about 3500 years old lavas, the so-called Búrfellshraun. However, the lavas originate from craters in Tungnaá area, which belong to the volcanic system of Bárðarbunga.

Power plant Búrfellsvirkjun

At his feet lies on the River Þjórsá the currently the second largest hydroelectric power plant in the country, the Búrfellsvirkjun. It was opened in 1969 to provide an aluminum plant in Reykjavík with electricity, and has a capacity of 270 MW. Parts of the river water to be directed into the tunnel through the mountain to still increase the slope and drive on the other side of the turbines.

On the other hand, this water is withdrawn from the river course and waterfalls such as the Tröllkonuhlaup are not as impressive in summer.