In the north-east corner of Vatnajökull National Park stands Snæfell, which means “snow mountain” in Icelandic. At 1,833 metres (6,014 feet), it is the highest stratovolcano in Iceland that rises above sea level. Its year-round snow and ice once led many to believe it is an extinct volcano, yet geological evidence suggests otherwise.
A silent volcano with a long memory
Contrary to appearances, Snæfell is not considered extinct. Researchers have shown that it can remain dormant for over 100,000 years between eruptions. The oldest volcanic materials on the mountain are about 1.35 million years old, while its summit’s basalt can be dated to about 256,000 years ago. Some rocks near the summit are even younger, at about 207,000 years old. For volcanologists, these long repose intervals are unusually lengthy for Iceland, demonstrating that periods of quietness can be deceptive.
The composition of Snæfell’s magma distinguishes it from the older tholeiitic basalt bedrock below. Its chemical make-up, likely sourced directly from the mantle, has helped advance the understanding of Iceland’s geothermal activity and mantle plume behaviour. These findings place Snæfell within the geological context of the Öræfi volcanic belt, a unique zone located on Iceland’s eastern flank, which is known as an off-rift region.
Glaciers, wildlife and eastern borders
Snæfell’s summit is frequently snow-capped, its ice mass feeding a series of glaciers that radiate outward. Names like Sveinsjökull, Sótajökull, Dimmagilsjökull, Axlarjökull, Ljósurðarjökull and Grjótárjökull mark these frozen flows. Some, such as Sótajökull, have seen extensive melting in recent years. The area surrounding the volcano is both remote and ecologically rich. To the east, the grassy Eyjabakkar region provides important breeding grounds for pink-footed geese. The western highlands, known as Vesturöræfi, are frequented by reindeer, one of the few places in Iceland where these animals can regularly be sighted.
Geographically, Snæfell creates a natural division between the municipalities of Múlaþing to the west and Fljótsdalshreppur to the east. The Hálslón Reservoir, built as part of the Kárahnjúkar hydroelectric project, sits to its immediate west, while to the south the immense Vatnajökull glacier stretches its icy tongues. Although the peak lies just 80 kilometres southwest of Egilsstaðir as the crow flies, the roads and terrain make the region feel even more remote.
The weathered slopes and icefields of Snæfell not only tell the story of ancient eruptions but also support the region’s distinctive ecology. Glaciers, sparse vegetation and Iceland’s emblematic animals, from wild geese to reindeer, populate a landscape where geology and the subtle pulse of life coexist.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
