Kerlingarfjöll

Kerlingarfjöll

High temperature area Hveradalir

Kerlingarfjöll are a volcanic mountain range in Iceland and reached by Snækollur a height of 1,477 m.

They lie in the Icelandic highlands about 25 km east of Kjölur route.

Presumably, they were once part of the glacial shield Hofsjökull.

• 5.1 photos
• 5.2 Scientific contributions
• 5.3 other

Geology of the volcanic system

The volcanic system of Kerlingarfjöll covers approximately 100 km2.

However, you can also find literature that imputes the Hofsjökull of the system.

Panel volcanoes rhyolite rock

At the Mountains of Kerlingarfjöll is newer research indicates to board volcanoes rhyolite rocks that were formed in eruptions under glaciers. Only at the top they are covered by basalt layers. Unequal panel of basalt volcanoes such as the Herðubreið, water was only in the initial phase of the eruption in the game. The transition from explosive to effusive eruptive phase took place on dry land.

Geologists at the University of Harvard compared the systems of Kerlingarfjöll and Prestahnjúkur with rhyolite mountains of the Sierra La Primavera, Mexico. The subglacial eruptions of Kerlingarfjöll fine-grained ash layers were formed first, later eruptive phases produced lapilli tuff layers by pyroclastic flows.

Possible glacier runs during the Ice Age

The geologist Bergur Einarsson assumes that when the Kerlingarfjöll were still under ice, they were probably assumed in hydro- magmatic eruptions glacier runs. This is contradicted by a number of researchers from Harvard University. According to them, the eruptions had no great extent. You do not expect glacier runs. The influence of the ice seems their opinion more in hydro- magmatic effect to have the tearing of the magma located.

High temperature area Hveradalir

Today there is a high temperature area in the so-called Hveradalir with numerous hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles and steaming streams.

Former summer skiing

In the field of Kerlingarfjöll, on the slopes of Loðmundur, was from the 60s up to the year 2000, a summer ski area. The climate changes make skiing in the summer there impossible. In winter, the area is difficult to access.

Hiking in the and in the Kerlingarfjöll

Today, the huts in the summer tourists and hikers serve as accommodation.

The high valleys Hveradalir are easily accessible by hiking trails, some of which, however, require a head for heights.

The mountains Snækollur and Loðmundur both can be climbed from the north side.

In addition, a three- day tour from cabin to cabin leads around to the Kerlingarfjöll. The trekking route is 50 km long. It is recommended to commit it counterclockwise. The first day stage leads first to the southwest to the Rock Kerling and from there to the hut at Klakkur. Two Wegmöglichkeiten from Kerling are hut to choose from. The second stage leads to the hut Kisubotn and past the mountains Klakkur, Grákollur and the gorge Kisugljúfur. The cabin is located in the valley Kisubotn, the extension of the gorge Kisugljúfur. The third stage leads from there to the north side of the Loðmundur and back to the huts at the Kerlingarfjöll.