Kerlingarfjöll

{{Short description|Mountain range in Iceland}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Kerlingarfjöll

| photo = Kerlingarfjöll peaks.jpg

| photo_alt =

| photo_caption = The peaks of the Kerlingarfjöll area.

| map = Iceland

| map_caption = Location of Kerlingafjöll within Iceland

| elevation = {{Convert|1477|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| elevation_ref ={{cite web|url =https://icelandicvolcanoes.is/?volcano=HOF |title=Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes:Hofsjökull Alternative name: Hofsjökull-Kerlingarfjöll]|first1 =Karl|last1 =Grönvold|year =2019|access-date=2024-04-28}}{{rp|loc=Detailed Description:1. Geological setting and tectonic context}}

| location = Iceland

| range =

| prominence =

| coordinates = {{coord|64|39|N|19|15|W|region:IS_type:mountain|display=title,inline}}

| topo =

| type = Central volcano

| age =

| last_eruption =

| first_ascent =

| easiest_route =

| listing =

| map_image = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=270|frame-height=222|frame-long=-18.6|frame-lat=64.76|zoom=7|raw=[{{Wikipedia:Map data/Askja}},{{Wikipedia:Map data/Grímsvötn}},{{Wikipedia:Map data/Öræfi volcanic belt}},{{Wikipedia:Map data/Hofsjökull}},{{Wikipedia:Map data/Katla}},{{Wikipedia:Map data/Hengill}},{{Wikipedia:Map data/Snæfellsnes volcanic belt}}]

|text=Selected geological features near Kerlingarfjöll (red outline). The Hofsjökull volcanic system is also outlined in red. Other shading shows: {{legend-inline|#dbb252}} calderas, {{legend-inline|#d9cf90}}central volcanoes and {{legend-inline|#fae8c0}}fissure swarms, {{legend-inline|#cecc90}}subglacial terrain above {{cvt|1100|m}}, and {{legend-inline|#f0fd44}}seismically active areas. Clicking on the image enlarges to full window and enables mouse-over with more detail.

}}

}}

Kerlingarfjöll ({{IPA|is|ˈcʰɛ(r)tliŋkarˌfjœtl̥|audio=Kerlingarfjöll pronunciation.ogg}}) is a {{Convert|1477|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall volcanic massive in Iceland situated in the Highlands of Iceland near the Kjölur highland road. It is usually regarded as part of a large tuya fissure system of {{convert|100|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in the southern portion of the Hofsjökull volcanic system, although is about {{cvt|20|–|30|km}} in diameter itself, and is between 68 and 350 thousand years old predating some of the activity in the rest of the system.{{cite journal|last1 =Hjartardóttir|first1 =Á.R.|last2 =Einarsson|first2 =P.|year =2021|title =Tectonic position, structure, and Holocene activity of the Hofsjökull volcanic system, central Iceland.|journal =Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research|volume =417|page =107277|doi =10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2021.107277|bibcode =2021JVGR..41707277H|hdl =20.500.11815/4696|hdl-access =free}} The volcanic origin of these mountains is evidenced by tholeiite basalt deposits, the numerous hot springs and rivulets in the area, as well as red volcanic rhyolite stone most marked near the two caldera. Minerals that have emerged from the hot springs also color the ground yellow, red and green.

The area was known formerly for its summer ski resort, but this was dismantled in 2000. Since 2000, Kerlingarfjöll has been operated as a highland resort, offering accommodation and food services to guests in the area.{{cite web| url=http://www.kerlingarfjoll.is| title=Kerlingarfjöll| access-date=2015-06-12}}

On March 17 in 2017 it was reported that the Kerlingarfjöll Mountains and geothermal area were being turned into a nature reserve. Although parts of the place already had protection, a whole {{cvt|367|km2}} are to be under the protection of the state of Iceland. There have been thoughts of using the {{cvt|140|Celsius}} hot springs as a geothermal power plant. The area is popular with hiking and the tourists.{{cite web |title=Kerlingarfjöll in the Icelandic highlands to become a reserve |url=https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/nature_and_travel/2017/03/17/kerlingarfjoll_in_the_icelandic_highlands_to_become/ |website=Iceland Monitor}}

There are various half-day and one-day hiking trails in the area.{{cite web |title=Hiking and Exploring in Kerlingarfjöll in the Highlands of Iceland|url=https://travelade.com/iceland/stories/hiking-and-exploring-kerlingarfjoll-in-the-highlands-of-iceland/|website=Travelade}}

File:Kerlingarfjöll west.JPG|Kerlingarfjöll as seen from the Kjölur road.

File:Kerlingarfjöll valley.JPG|Valley in the Kerlingarfjöll area with geothermal activity.