Position within Iceland’s volcano-tectonic environment
In Iceland there are about 32 volcanic systems. Volcanic system means a volcano-tectonic fissure system and – very often a bigger volcano, a so-called central volcano which in most cases is a stratovolcano and may contain a caldera. Brennisteinsfjöll does not include such a central volcano. The existence of the fissure systems in Iceland is explained by its situation, located on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent plate boundary. There is most probably also a magmatic hot spot under the island which stands for increased magma production. Brennisteinsfjöll is one of four volcanic systems on the big peninsula of Reykjanes in Southwest Iceland, as such the system forms part of the Reykjanes Volcanic Belt. These others are: Reykjanes volcanic system, around Gunnuhver at the tip of the peninsula, which mostly includes Svartsengi with the geothermal power station and the Blue Lagoon; to the east of the Reykjanes system is the Krýsuvík volcanic system, including the geothermal areas around Seltún, Krýsuvík and Trölladyngja as well as lake Kleifarvatn; and to the northeast of the Brennisteinsfjöll lies the Hengill volcanic system which reaches out to the northeast over the lake Þingvallavatn to Þingvellir. These volcanic systems are arranged en echelon and in a ca. 45° angle to the direction of rifting, scientists define this as an oblique arrangement. The volcanic systems of Reykjanes, Brennisteinsfjöll included, are stretched out in northeast-southwesterly direction over the rift on the peninsula.
General description of the Brennisteinsfjöll volcanic system
The volcanic system of Brennisteinsfjöll is 45 km long, has a width of about 10 km and covers about 280 km2. Most to the south are the Stóra Eldborgcrater row and to the northNyðri Eldborg.The volcanic system was the most productive of all the volcanic systems of the Reykjanes peninsula during the Holocene with 30-40 eruptions and around 10 since the settlement of Iceland in the 9th century.
Eruptions and current situation
One of the bigger lava flows of the system run south from Brennisteinsfjöll to the coast at Herdísarvík bay forming lava falls on their way. Previously it was thought that this lava flow had ceased before the settlement of Iceland, but this is now thought that this was not the case as the coastal trail was covered in lava at one stage. The last eruption in the Brennisteinsfjöll volcanic system was a VEI-2 eruption in 1341. Most of its rocks consist of basalt.
Brennisteinsfjöll geothermal areas
There is a high temperature geothermal area in Brennisteinsfjöll, but it is rather remote, about 20 km southeast of Reykjavík in the inner part of the Reykjavík peninsula. Fumaroles are to be found within an area of a few acres, and two more areas show signs of hydrothermal alteration. The surface conditions are complicated with a rough lava surface and the geothermal features which are located at a height of 450 -500 m can only be reached on foot. The stratigraphy of the region includes hyaloclastite, older and younger lava flows. In a fault, not far from Grindarskörð, there are traces of an former geothermal area which is no more active.
Sulfur mining
As the name suggests, sulfur is found here, though today in small amounts. But in the 19th century, a sulfur mine was run in the region by people from the United Kingdom. Mining was carried out just til the 1880s. The mine was situated in a lava slope. The sulfur “was deposited into holes and fractures in the lava and between lava layers”. It was therefore difficult to reach and mine. The miners had first to break up the lava to get to the sulfur.The current geothermal activity is above this area. The place of the former mine can be found by hiking the old trail Selvogsgata and the following the so-called Draugahlíðar between the lava and the slope. There are still some ruins of the former mine and traces of transportation paths.
Known mountains, craters and other volcanic landforms
Part of the Brennisteinsfjöll volcanic system are the Brennisteinsfjöll themselves, not really a mountain range, more some hills and crater rows, and the Bláfjöllmountain massif. The system includes two shield volcanoes, Heiðin há and Leitin.. Among the many smaller subglacial mounds, tuyas, craters and eruptive vents are Stóra-Kóngsfell, Drottning, the Þríhnúkagígar crater trio - now famous because it is possible to see a magmatic feeder systemfrom the inside -, and some craters named Eldborg. The rootless cones of Rauðhólar near Reykjavík are also connected to a lava flow from this volcanic system.
Nature protection in Brennisteinsfjöll
Some protected areas are to be found in the region of Brennisteinsfjöll. These are Herdísarvík Nature Reserve, Reykjanes Country Park, Bláfjöll Country Park and the two Natural Monuments Eldborgir undir Geitahlíð and Eldborg í Bláfjöllum.
