About Tungnafellsjokull
Tungnafellsjokull is a stratovolcano rising to 1,523 meters (4,997 feet) in Iceland's Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Tungnafellsjokull is located in Iceland, within the Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 64.75° N, 17.92° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,523 meters above sea level, Tungnafellsjokull is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Tungnafellsjokull is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Tungnafellsjokull in Iceland generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
The Tungnafellsjökull central volcano, located immediately NW of the massive Vatnajökull icecap, contains two calderas. One is largely filled by the Tungnafellsjökull glacier, and the other ice-free caldera located to the SE contains Pleistocene rhyolitic lavas. The volcano is largely of Pleistocene age, but postglacial flank fissures on the NE side have produced young basalts. The Hágöngur central volcano to the SW is part of this volcanic system.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Tungnafellsjokull.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Tungnafellsjokull
Is Tungnafellsjokull an active volcano?+
Tungnafellsjokull is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Tungnafellsjokull?+
Tungnafellsjokull has a summit elevation of 1,523 meters (4,997 feet) above sea level. At 1,523 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Tungnafellsjokull?+
Tungnafellsjokull is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Tungnafellsjokull located?+
Tungnafellsjokull is located in Iceland, in the Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 64.750° latitude, -17.916° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Tungnafellsjokull?+
Tungnafellsjokull can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Iceland may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
