Katla UNESCO Global Geopark

Katla Geopark includes geological features of global significance. Over 150 volcanic eruptions have been recorded in the area since the 9th century. The eruptions created the landscape and influenced where people settled. Through the centuries, man and nature have affected the region's history. The area is constantly changing due to volcanic activity.

A geopark is defined as a territory that includes a particular geological heritage and a sustainable territorial development strategy to promote development. It must have clearly defined boundaries and sufficient surface area for true territorial economic development.

The Geopark covers about 9% of Iceland, 9542 km2, and follows the borders of three municipalities, Skaftárhreppur, Mýrdalshreppur, and Rangárþing eystra. About 2700 people live within the Geopark.
GeologyIceland lies astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates move apart, causing a rift zone. A mantle plume exists below the country, centered beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap. In South Iceland, the interaction of the rift zone and the mantle plume results in complex and diverse volcanic activity. Volcanic activity and its widespread effect on the area's nature and landscape make Katla Geopark special.

The Geopark is in Iceland's most volcanically active area, and the volcanic systems at Eyjafjallajökull, Katla, and Grímsvötn are particularly active. The region is characterized by central volcanoes, eruptive craters and fissures, rootless cones, lava fields, table mountains (tuyas), and hyaloclastite ridges that trend SW-NE, like the rift zone.

Ice caps are prominent in the landscape, topping the highest volcanoes. Outlet glaciers and glacial rivers flow from them, and glacial landforms, e.g., moraines and ice-dammed lakes, occur in the area. Large floods, usually glacier outbursts associated with subglacial eruptions, have formed outwash plains in the lowlands. The oldest bedrock in the area is about 2.5 million years old and can be found at the base of Lómagnúpur, an old sea cliff (671 m). Other interesting features in the Geopark are fossil-bearing xenoliths and tephra layers which are useful for dating (tephrochronology). 

Further information about the area is on www.katlageopark.com.