- Address: 170 km east of Reykjavik, Iceland;
- Height above sea level: 1 488 m;
- The last eruption: February 26, 2000;
- The first ascent: June 20, 1750;
- Exceedance: 796 m.
Hekla is by right considered the most famous volcano in Iceland . It will not be difficult to find Hekla volcano on the map, it is located in the southern part of the country, not far from the capital. It has a height of 1491 meters and is the most unpredictable. For most of the year the mountain is covered with fog and clouds. The appearance of the peak resembles the hooded head of the monk, it is because of the similarity with the traditional Icelandic outfit "hekla" that the name of the volcano appeared.
Hekla volcano eruptions
About Europe, where Hekla Volcano is located, Europeans learned a long time ago. The very first mention of the eruption of the volcano Hekla is attributed to 1104 AD. This outburst of lava gave rise to many superstitious fears. Cistercian monks actively spread rumors that the volcano Hekla is one of the three entrances to Hell, along with volcanoes Vesuvius and Broken. Up to our time, at least 20 more eruptions of varying strength have been evidenced, most recently in 2000. On the uniqueness of Hecla says its calc-alkaline lava: in Iceland, a country of 140 volcanoes, but only chemistry has such a chemical composition. Since identification by this sign simplifies the analysis of volcanic deposits, it can be confidently asserted that the active Hekla remains at least 6,5 thousand years. Each release of volcanic ash from the vent is peculiar. To foresee when Hekla wakes up again is very difficult. Observations of the seismic activity of this zone allow us to say only one thing: the longer the volcano does not manifest itself, the stronger the next eruption.
The largest is considered to have occurred in 950 BC. Then the atmosphere got about 7.3 cubic kilometers of ash from the earth's interior. The consequences of the ejection were found at the bottom of the Scottish lakes. The result of a powerful cataclysm in the Northern Hemisphere was a sharp drop in air temperature, the temperature regime on Earth recovered only after a decade. The length of the turbulent period near the volcano is also not the same. Eruptions last from several weeks to a year. The case of the longest activity of Hecla in 1947 is recorded, this is the year of the largest eruption of the volcano Hekla in modern human history.| | |
Tourism on Hekla volcano
The first official ascent to Hecla was performed by Egert Olafson and Bjarni Palson on June 20, 1750. Since then, admire the 40 kilometer mountain range, every year flock to the crowds of tourists. The Hekla volcano is impressive, active or extinct, of all, especially frighteningly looks like its 5.5 km long fault. It is from this cracks that an eruption of lava masses occurs, and tons of volcanic ash are emitted. In a calm state, the volcano is a unique tourist site. In winter, along the crater, you can observe the ski routes, and in summer on the slopes travelers are engaged in mountaineering or walking along the paved trails. Recently, a project has been launched to restore flora on the slopes of Hecla. In plans to grow more than 90 thousand hectares of forest plantations, where the main species are birch and willow.
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How to get there?
Hekla volcano is located 170 km east of Reykjavik , in a difficult terrain, so it's worth choosing a good SUV for a trip. The main road to the volcano begins from the tourist camping site Landmannalaugar.