About Hromundartindur
Hromundartindur is a stratovolcano rising to 550 meters (1,805 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
Hromundartindur is located in Iceland, within the Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province of the broader Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions. Situated at 64.08° N, 21.33° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. With a summit elevation of 550 meters above sea level, Hromundartindur 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
Hromundartindur 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 Hromundartindur 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
Hrómundartindur is a small volcanic system located south of Thingvallavatn lake and immediately east of the Hengill volcanic system. It lies at a ridge-ridge-transform triple junction at the eastern end of the Reykjanes Peninsula, where the west Iceland volcanic zone changes direction from approximately W-E to SW-NE. Hrómundartindur was last active about 10,000 years ago, and displays vigorous geothermal activity at the Ölkeduháls geothermal field. The most recent eruptions in the Ölkeduháls area took place at the end of the latest glacial period, but Ölkeduháls currently contains numerous hot springs, mud pools, fumaroles, and mineral warm springs. Increased seismic activity and slow land uplift beginning in 1994 indicated magma flow into the roots of the volcanic system at 7 km depth. The activity continued for more than 4 years.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Hromundartindur.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Hromundartindur
Is Hromundartindur an active volcano?+
Hromundartindur is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Hromundartindur?+
Hromundartindur has a summit elevation of 550 meters (1,805 feet) above sea level. At 550 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Hromundartindur?+
Hromundartindur 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 Hromundartindur located?+
Hromundartindur 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 64.083° latitude, -21.333° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Hromundartindur?+
Hromundartindur 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.
