Skjaldbreiður facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skjaldbreiður |
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Skjaldbreiður as seen from Þingvellir
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,060 m |
| Naming | |
| English translation | broad shield |
| Language of name | Icelandic |
| Geography | |
| Location |  Iceland |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 9,000 years |
| Mountain type | Shield volcano |
Skjaldbreiður (pronounced Skyald-bray-thur) is a special type of volcano located in Iceland. It stands tall at 1,060 meters above sea level. The opening at its top, called a crater, is about 300 meters wide. The name Skjaldbreiður means "broad shield" in Icelandic, which perfectly describes its shape.
Contents
Discovering Skjaldbreiður
Skjaldbreiður is a very old volcano. It formed about 9,000 years ago. This makes it a significant part of Iceland's volcanic history. Its unique shape helps scientists understand how different volcanoes are created.
What is a Shield Volcano?
Skjaldbreiður is known as a Shield volcano. Imagine a warrior's shield lying on the ground. That's how these volcanoes look! They have very gentle slopes, not steep sides like many other volcanoes. This shape happens because the lava that flows from them is very runny. It spreads out far and wide before it cools down.
Where is Skjaldbreiður Located?
This impressive volcano is found in the southwestern part of Iceland. It is part of the West Volcanic Zone. This area is famous for its many volcanoes and lava fields. Skjaldbreiður is also close to Þingvellir National Park. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Meaning of its Name
The name Skjaldbreiður comes from the Icelandic language. As mentioned, it means "broad shield." This name was given because of the volcano's wide, flat shape. It looks like a giant shield resting on the landscape. This descriptive name helps people easily imagine what the volcano looks like.
How Big is Skjaldbreiður?
Skjaldbreiður reaches a height of 1,060 meters. This makes it one of Iceland's "one-thousanders." These are mountains that are over 1,000 meters tall. Its crater, the bowl-shaped opening at the top, is about 300 meters across. This is roughly the length of three football fields!
Images for kids
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Skjaldbreiður crater in snow.
See also
In Spanish: Skjaldbreiður para niños
