Krafla Facts for Kids

Víti crater and lake at Krafla

Krafla is a powerful volcano located in the northern part of Iceland. It is a huge, bowl-shaped hollow called a caldera, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) wide. This volcano also has a very long crack in the ground, known as a fissure zone, that stretches for 90 kilometers (56 miles).

The highest point of Krafla reaches 818 meters (2,684 feet) into the sky.

Inside Krafla, you'll find a special crater called Víti. The word "Víti" means "hell" in Icelandic. Long ago, people sometimes thought that hell was located beneath volcanoes. Today, Víti is known for its beautiful green lake.

Krafla's Volcanic Past
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Krafla's Volcanic Past

The Mývatn Fires Eruption

Between 1724 and 1729, a series of eruptions known as the Mývatn fires took place at Krafla. During this time, many cracks in the ground opened up. Hot lava shot into the air like fountains, so high that people could see them from the southern part of Iceland!

The flowing lava destroyed three farms near a village called Reykjahlíð. Luckily, no one was hurt during these eruptions.

Recent Volcanic Activity

Krafla had another active period between 1975 and 1984. During these years, the volcano erupted several times.

Geothermal Power at Krafla

Since 1977, the Krafla area has been used to create geothermal energy. This means that heat from deep inside the Earth is used to power a special station. This station then turns the heat into electricity for people to use.