Online Encyclopedia
Katla
| Katla | |
|---|---|
| Image caption |
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| Elevation: | 4,961 ft (1,512 m) |
| Latitude: | 63° 38′ 0″ N |
| Longitude: | 19° 3′ 0″ W |
| Location: | Iceland |
| Range: | |
| Type: | Subglacial volcano |
The volcano Katla (1450 m) has a reputation as one of the most dangerous volcanoes of Iceland. It is situated to the north of Vík í Mýrdal and to the east of the smaller glacier Eyjafjallajökull. Its peak reaches 1493 m in height and the extension of the glacier Mýrdalsjökull which lies over it reaches 595 km².
The crater of the volcano has a diameter of 10 km and the volcano normally erupts every 40 - 80 years. The last eruption took place in 1918, meaning scientists monitor the volcano very carefully. Since 930, 16 eruptions have been documented. The Laki craters and the Eldgjá are part of the same volcanic system, so it can be regarded as one of the most powerful in the world.
Before the National motorway no.1 had been constructed, people feared traversing the plains in front of the volcano because of the often occurring glacier runs and the deep rivers to cross. Especially fatal was the glacier run after the eruption of 1918.
See also
External links
- Photo of Mýrdalsjökull http://isafold.de/strutstigur02/img_jokull.htm
- Volcanism 1 http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/europe_west_asia/eldgja.html
- Volcanism 2, engl./isl. http://wwww.raunvis.is/~mtg/myrdj.htm
- search engine and map of Iceland http://gis.bofh.is/ornefnaskra/