Abstract
The Kapelluhraun lava flow is one of four lava flows produced during a volcanic episode named the Krisuvik Fires. The lavas are olivine tholeiites in composition. The lava flows cover an area of 36.5 km2 and the estimated volume is 0.22 km3. The production of tephra was negligible. Radiocarbon dating of charcoal from the Kapelluhraun lava flow indicates that the volcanic event occurred during one of the four following time intervlas: 1026-1045, 1052-1065, 1089-1125 or 1138-1153 AD. The proposed year of eruption, 1151 AD, is within one of these limits and supports the suggestion which was based on old chronicles. It was previously suggested that the Hellnahraun lava flow was also formed during the Krisuvik Fires. Later the present authors discovered that the Hellnahraun lava flow was formed in two different eruptions. The Younger Hellnahraun lava flow overlies the Obrinnisholar lava flow which in turn overlies the Older Hellnahraun lava flow. New radiocarbon dates suggest the following time intervals: 894-923 and 938-983 AD. Thus the Younger Hellnahraun flow is older than the Krisuvik Fires and was formed during the 10th century. -from English summary
| Translated title of the contribution | Age of the Kapelluhraun and Hellnahraun lava flows, Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest Iceland |
|---|---|
| Original language | Icelandic |
| Pages (from-to) | 61-80 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | Jokull |
| Volume | 41 |
| Publication status | Published - 1991 |