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Krafla

Region: North Iceland
Coordinates: 65.7171° N 16.7544° W

The name of Mt. Krafla was extended over the high temperature area after the geothermal power station was built in 1974. The colourful mountain Leirhnjukur is situated at the southern end of the 40 km long and 15 km wide eruptive area, Gjastykki, which erupted 9 times between 1975 and 1984. The average depth of the boreholes feeding the power station is 2000 m. They are lined with pipes down to 700 – 1000 m to prevent collapsing.

The steam pressure from the separators in the grey building equals 7,7 bars when it is pipelined to the generators in the red building. The output is about 70 MW and the power station is directly connected to the national grid. At the onset of the so-called Myvatn fires 1724 -1729 the explosion crater Viti (Hell) was created.

Because of the latest Myvatn fires, 1975 – 1984, and the consequent plate tectonics the boreholes caved in and prevented the operation of the power station until 1979. East of it and south of Mt. Krafla is the obsidian ridge, Hrafntinnuhryggur. The Krafla- and Leirhnjukur areas offer various hiking possibilities through unique and unbelievable landscapes.

Volcanic eruptions in Iceland

Krafla in Icelandic