Helgafell (Vestmannaeyjabær)
Volcanic cone on Heimaey Island, Iceland / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Helgafell (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈhɛlkaˌfɛtl̥] ⓘ, "Helgi's mountain"[3]) is an inactive 227 m (745 ft)[4] volcanic cone located on the island of Heimaey in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago in Iceland.
Helgafell | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 227 m (745 ft)[1] |
Coordinates | 63°25′45″N 20°15′36″W |
Geography | |
Location | Heimaey, Iceland |
Geology | |
Age of rock | 5,000 years |
Last eruption | 3950 BCE ± 300 years[2] |
The Stórhöfði peninsula immediately to the south of Helgafell in what is now southern Heimaey formed about 6000 years ago.[2] Helgafell formed a thousand years later in a monogenetic volcanic eruption,[5]: 55 which created much of the present island over a period of between 11 and 12 months,[1][4] at 3950 BCE ± 300 years.[2] This erupted 0.65 km3 (0.16 cu mi) of lava and scoria with a DRE of 0.59 km3 (0.14 cu mi).[5]: 68 Immediately north of Helgafell is the active volcano Eldfell, which had a no warning disruptive monogenetic fissure eruption commencing January 23, 1973.[6]