Flight to Iceland

Hekla

An active volcano for centuries, Mount Hekla is one of the most famous in the world. Old tales tell of the belief that the souls of the condemned traveled through Hekla's crater on their way to hell. The whole mountain ridge of Hekla is about 40 km long. The fissure which splits the mountain ridge is about 5,5 km long. The mountain is about 1491 m high and rising.

Over the past 7000 years Hekla has had five big fissure eruptions. The biggest eruptions were 4000 and 2800 years ago. Traces of these two eruptions can be found in the soil in the North and the North-East of Iceland. The biggest layer of tephra from one eruption fell in the eruption 2800 years ago. It covers about 80% of the country and its volume was around 12 cubic km. Traces of it has been found in various places all over Scandinavia and in parts of Europe.

It is thought that Hekla has had at least twenty eruptions since the settlement of Iceland. The biggest and first recorded eruption was in 1104, although very likely there had been many more during the time of Viking settlement.. Hekla has erupted four times in the 20th century, the last time in 1991.It is thought that Hekla has had at least twenty eruptions since the settlement of Iceland. The biggest eruption was in 1104. Hekla has erupted five times in the 20th century, the last time in February 2000.

The effects of the violent eruptions were disastrous. The whole island was strown with volcanic ash, which, where they did not smother the grass outright, gave it a poisonous taint. The cattle that ate of it were attacked by a murrain, of which great numbers died. The ice and snow, which had gathered about the mountain for a long period of time, were wholly melted by the heat. Masses of pumice weighing nearly half a ton were thrown to a distance of between four and five miles.

Hekla eruptions since the settlement of Iceland
Year   Duration         Destruction
1104  Unknown         Much
1158  Unknown         Some
1206  Unknown         Some
1222  Unknown         Little
1300-01 12 mo.        Much
1341  Unknown         Much
1389-90 Unknown     Some
1440  Unknown         Little
1510  Unknown         Some
1554  Unknown         Little
1597  6 mo.              Little
1636  12 mo.            Little
1693  7-12 mo.         Much
1725  Unknown         Little
1766-68 24 mo.        Some
1845-46 7 mo.          Some
1878  Unknown         Little
1913  4-5 mo.           Little
1947-48 13 mo.        Some
1970  2 mo.              Little
1980-81 2 weeks       Some
1991  2 mo.              Little
2000  11 days           Little

Many people choose to hike the the top of Mount Hekla during good weather conditions. The view from the top is absolutely stunning on a clear day. It is a hike of 3-4 hours from the 900 meter summit. One should bring water, hiking sticks good shoes and be in good shape to try this. Always check weather conditions before starting such a journey. Winds and weather can shift very quickly so bring warm and weatherproof clothing as well! There are also some signs that predict Mount Hekla is close to a new eruption ( Desember 2006) - making such a journey a bit risky.

It is also a folklore legend that Mount Hekla is a gathering place for witches on Easter. So watch your head for broomsticked travelers if you happen to be there on the Easter weekend - as they will certainly appear.

You can take a jeep tour to see Landmannalaugar and Hekla.