Helgrindur
Volcanic field in Iceland
Key Facts
Elevation
986 m (3,235 ft)
Type
Volcanic field
Location
64.866°, -23.283°
Region
Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province
Rock Type
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Tectonic Setting
Rift zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Helgrindur (also known as Lysuhóll or Lysukard) is one of Iceland's smallest volcanic systems. It consists of a chain of small alkali olivine basaltic cinder cones and vents along a WNW-ESE line cutting across the central Snaefellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. The slightly arcuate line of Quaternary vents extends to the northern coast of the peninsula.
Helgrindur is the central of three volcanic systems occupying the peninsula. The latest eruption is undated, but the system has been active during the Holocene.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | Unknown | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in Atlantic Ocean Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 370020
- •Evidence: Evidence Credible
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
An aerial view looking east down the Snæfellsnes Peninsula shows the Bláfeldarhraun lava flow in the foreground. The cone that produced it is part of the Helgrindur (Lýsuskarð) volcanic system, which consists of small scoria cones and vents along a WNW-ESE trend across the central Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Photo by Oddur Sigurdsson, 1983 (Icelandic National Energy Authority).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.