Krafla
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| Krafla | |
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| Elevation: | 2,133 ft (650 m) |
| Coordinates: | Template:Coor dms |
| Location: | Iceland |
| Range: | |
| Type: | Caldera |
Krafla.jpg
Krafla is a volcanic system with a diameter of about 20 km in the north of Iceland in the Mývatn region. Its highest peak reaches up to 818 m.
Part of Krafla is f.ex. one of the two Víti craters of Iceland. The second one is part of Askja. The Icelandic word "víti" means "hell". In former times, people often believed hell to be under volcanoes. The volcano Hekla was also held for hell during the Middle Ages. The crater Víti near Krafla most recently erupted in 1976. In its center is a blue lake.
The Krafla area also includes Námafjall, a volcanic active area with hot springs.
During the years 1724-29 and in 1746, there were the so-called Mývatn fires. A lot of fissures opened up and the lava fountains could be seen even in the south of the island. A big lava flow destroyed parts of the village Reykjahlíđ, but most of the inhabitants survived having been in the church which lies on an elevation of terrain.
The last volcanic eruption at Krafla took place in the 1980s.
Since 1977 the geothermal energy is put to use by means of a small power station.
See also
External links
- volcanism (http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/img_krafla.html)
- search engine and map of Iceland (http://gis.bofh.is/ornefnaskra/)
Photos: Námaskarđ (),Leirhnjúkur (http://www.bildungsservice.at/faecher/geo/Staaten%20und%20Landschaften/Island/Island%202/Island%201996-0062%20-%20Krafla%20-%20Lavafeld.JPG)
- Photos of Krafla and Reykjahlíđ (among others) (http://webast.ast.obs-mip.fr/people/petit/iceland.html)de:Krafla