Krafla

The Fires of Mývatn

818m Height
1975-1984 Krafla Fires
10km Caldera Width

About Krafla

A massive volcanic caldera system in North Iceland, famous for the dramatic "Krafla Fires" eruptions and its turquoise Víti crater lake. The area remains highly active with extensive geothermal features.

🌋 Volcanic System

  • 10 km wide caldera
  • Part of ~100 km long fissure system
  • Peak elevation: 818 m
  • 29 eruptions in post-glacial time
  • Active magma chamber at 3-7 km depth

📍 Location

  • Near Lake Mývatn, North Iceland
  • ~100 km from Akureyri
  • Part of Northern Volcanic Zone
  • Accessible year-round by paved road

🔥 Major Historical Eruptions

  • 1975-1984: Krafla Fires - Nine eruptions over nine years
  • 1724-1729: Mývatn Fires - Five-year eruption episode
  • 1724: Víti explosion crater formed
  • Ongoing ground inflation since 1984
  • Active geothermal exploitation

Major Eruption Episodes

The Mývatn Fires (1724-1729)

A five-year eruption episode that dramatically reshaped the landscape around Lake Mývatn and created some of the area's most iconic features.

Eruption Details

  • Duration: 1724-1729 (5 years)
  • Víti crater: 320m wide explosion crater formed in 1724
  • Multiple fissure eruptions along the volcanic system
  • Extensive lava flows threatened local settlements
  • Significant impact on Lake Mývatn ecosystem

Local Impact

  • Farms destroyed by lava flows
  • Pasture lands covered by new lava
  • Lake Mývatn shoreline altered
  • Created the turquoise Víti geothermal lake
  • Population displacement in the region

The Krafla Fires (1975-1984)

Nine years of dramatic volcanic activity that reshaped the landscape and provided invaluable scientific insights into volcanic processes.

🔬 Scientific Revolution

The Krafla Fires were among the most studied eruptions in history, revolutionizing understanding of rifting processes and magma chamber behavior. Scientists documented ground inflation/deflation cycles linked to magma movement in real time.

Eruption Characteristics

  • 9 separate eruptions over 9 years (1975-1984)
  • Lava fountains reaching up to 300 m high
  • ~0.3 km³ of basaltic lava erupted
  • New lava covered approximately 36 km²
  • Ground inflation up to 2 meters measured
  • Fissure eruptions along 80+ km of rift zone

Magma Chamber Behavior

  • Deflation events preceded each eruption
  • Magma drained from central chamber to fissures
  • Rifting episodes caused ground cracking
  • Earthquake swarms signaled magma movement
  • Provided unprecedented data on volcanic plumbing

Impact & Legacy

  • No fatalities or major structural damage
  • Krafla geothermal power plant construction delayed
  • Created new lava fields at Leirhnjúkur
  • Major tourist attraction development
  • Revolutionized volcanic monitoring techniques

Geothermal Wonderland

🌊 Víti Crater

  • 320m wide explosion crater
  • Turquoise geothermal lake
  • Created in 1724 eruption
  • Name means "Hell" in Icelandic

♨️ Leirhnjúkur

  • Active fumaroles and mud pots
  • Steaming lava from 1984 eruption
  • Colorful sulfur deposits
  • Marked hiking trails through lava

⚡ Power Plant

  • 60 MW geothermal power station
  • Drills into 2,200m deep wells
  • Supplies North Iceland with power
  • Tours available of facility

Visiting Krafla

📍 Getting There

  • 1.5 hours from Akureyri
  • Paved road all the way (Route 863)
  • Open year-round (weather dependent)
  • Combined with Mývatn area visits

🥾 Main Attractions

  • Víti crater viewpoint (5 min walk)
  • Leirhnjúkur lava field hike (1-2 hours)
  • Krafla power plant visitor center
  • Námafjall geothermal area nearby

🏊 Nearby Mývatn

  • Mývatn Nature Baths (15 min)
  • Dimmuborgir lava formations
  • Pseudocraters at Skútustaðir
  • Rich birdlife at lake