More On Hekla
Hekla is located in the southern part of Iceland about 70 miles
(110 km) east of Reykjavik and 35 miles (55 km) inland from the southern
coastline. It is regarded by some as a stratovolcano, but others argue
that it more closely resembles Hawaiian shield volcanoes.
The Hekla volcanic system is about 25 miles (40 km) in length and
4 miles (7 km) wide and lays within the eastern rift zone which stretches
from Surtsey to Heimaey,
Katla, Askja,
Krafla and
beyond.
A Helka eruption characteristically starts out with an explosive phase
that usually lasts for a few hours and then proceeds to erupt large
quantities of lava over duration of several weeks.
The Thjorsa lava flow, possibly the largest post-glacial flow in the
world, covers around 770 sq. km. and flowed 130 km from its point of origin.
For a history of Hekla's eruptions, see the Eruption History
Images of Volcanoes
To VolcanoWorld