Holuhraun

Holuhraun
The Holuhraun lava field, on 4 September 2014, during the 2014 eruption
Map of Iceland showing the location of Holuhraun.
Location	Suður-Þingeyjarsýsla, Northeastern Region, Iceland
Coordinates	64°51′N 16°50′W / 64.85°N 16.83°W / 64.85; -16.83Coordinates: 64°51′N 16°50′W / 64.85°N 16.83°W / 64.85; -16.83
Geology	Lava field

Holuhraun ([ˈhɔ:lur̥øin]) is a large lava field just north of the Vatnajökull ice cap, in the Icelandic Highlands, in Suður-Þingeyjarsýsla, Northeastern Region, Iceland. The lava field was created by fissure eruptions. After a research expedition in 1880, the lava field was initially called Kvislarhraun. Four years later, it received its current name by the geologist and geographer, Þorvaldur Thoroddsen. Holuhraun is the site of a volcanic eruption which began on 29 August 2014 and produced a lava field of more than 85 km² (33 sq mi) and 1.4 km³ (0.34 cu mi) – the largest in Iceland since 1783.

Holuhraun is situated at the southern end of Ódáðahraun, which is one of the largest lava fields in the country. The main volume of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river flows from the eastern side of Holuhraun, in the Kverkfjöll area.Hrimalda, Urðarháls and Kistufell are to the west of Holuhraun, with Dyngjuháls and Trölladyngja beyond. The Dyngjujökull glacier, which is part of Vatnajökull, is to the immediate south. Holuhraun is about 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the Askja caldera, and the Bárðarbunga volcano is 41.39 km (25.7 mi) to the south-west of Holuhraun. Holuhraun is traversed by an unnumbered road, which connects to the Route F910 gravel road at both the east and the west ends.