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Data from the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution
Details for: Torfajokull
The Torfajökull central volcano is cut by a 12 x 18 km caldera that formed during the Pleistocene. Torfajökull is of one of the largest areas of silicic and intermediate volcanism in Iceland. The Laugahraun (lower left) and Domadalshraun (right center) lava flows, seen here from the SE, are located just within and north of, respectively, the northern caldera rim. At least 12 eruptions have occurred in the last 9,000 years with activity concentrated in the west. Photo by Oddur Sigurdsson, 1977 (Icelandic National Energy Authority).
Volcano Number:
372050
Volcano Name:
Torfajokull
Country:
Iceland
Volcano Type:
Stratovolcano
Last Eruption:
1477 CE
Elevation:
1280m
Tectonic Setting:
Rift zone / Oceanic crust (< 15 km)
Pop. within 30km:
7
Pop. within 100km:
16304
Latitude:
63.892
Longitude:
-19.122
Details
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The Torfajökull central volcano, located north of Myrdalsjökull and south of Thorisvatn lake, is cut by a 12-km-wide caldera that formed during the Pleistocene. With about 225 km3 of silicic extrusive rocks exposed, it comprises the largest area of silicic and intermediate volcanism in Iceland. Work by Moles et al. (2019) identified the Ring Fracture Rhyolites as the source of the rhyolitic and trachyandesitic Thórsmörk Ignimbrite and the II-RHY-1 tephra, and dated them at 51.3 ± 4.2 ka (40Ar/39Ar). The dominantly rhyolitic complex rises about 500 m above surrounding basaltic plains and is elongated WNW-ESE. Most rhyolitic lava flows were erupted subglacially, with silicic hyaloclastites that form ridge and dome-shaped breccias. During postglacial times only a narrow fissure zone at the western end has been active, producing mostly silicic lava flows, domes, and tephras. The most recent silicic eruption produced the Hrafntinnuhraun flow about 900 CE. The fissure system is along trend with and was active at the same time as the basaltic Veidivötn fissure system of Bárdarbunga central volcano in 1477 CE. The small Torfajökull icecap lies mostly outside the SE rim of the caldera, which is the site of vigorous thermal activity over a broad area of 130-140 km2.
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Eruption Data from the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution
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Emissions Data from the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution
Sorry. No emissions data found for this volcano.
Data from the Earthchem Library
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Data from the Earthchem Portal
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Data from the SESAR Database
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Data from the MaGa Database
Sorry. No data exist for this volcano in the MaGa database.
Data from UNAVCO
Sorry. No data exist for this volcano in the UNAVCO database.
Data from USIEI
Sorry. This volcano is not covered by any USIEI projects
Data from IRIS FDSNWS
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