- Öræfajökull
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Öræfajökull 
Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest peak of ÖræfajökullElevation 2,109.6 m (6,921 ft) Prominence 2,109.6 m (6,921 ft) Location Location Iceland Range Mid-Atlantic Ridge Coordinates 64°00′N 16°39′W / 64°N 16.65°W Geology Type Stratovolcano Last eruption 1728 Öræfajökull is an ice-covered volcano in south-east Iceland. It is the largest active volcano in the country, and on its north-western rim is Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest peak in Iceland. Geographically Öræfajökull is considered part of the Vatnajökull glacier, and the area covered by glacier is inside the bounds of Skaftafell National Park.
Öræfajökull has erupted twice in historical time. In 1362 the volcano erupted explosively, with huge amounts of tephra being ejected. The district of Litla-Hérað was destroyed with floods and tephra fall. More than 40 years passed before people again settled the area, which became known as Öræfi. The name literally means an area without harbour, but it took on a meaning of wasteland in Icelandic. An eruption in August 1727 to 1728 was smaller, though floods are known to have caused three fatalities.
See also
- Geography of Iceland
- Glaciers of Iceland
- Iceland plume
- Lakes of Iceland
- List of islands of Iceland
- List of volcanoes in Iceland
- Rivers of Iceland
- Volcanism in Iceland
- Waterfalls of Iceland
External links
- Volcano Images of Europe
- Photos of Öræfajökull www.Icelandportfolio.com
- Öræfajökull – picture gallery www.islandsmyndir.is
- http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1704-01=
Road to Öræfajökull, approaching from the west, November 2007. Two spur glaciers can be seen: Skaftafellsjökull (left) and Svínafellsjökull (right).
Categories:- South Iceland
- Stratovolcanoes
- Volcanoes of Iceland
- Mountains of Iceland
- Glaciers of Iceland
- VEI-5 volcanoes
- Active volcanoes
- Öræfajökull Belt
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