Hengill

Hengill is a volcanic system and geothermal area in southwestern Iceland. It lies inland from the capital region and is part of the broader tectonic activity associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, near the South Iceland Seismic Zone. The Hengill area comprises a central volcanic complex and a network of fissures and vents that have produced lava flows and tephra during the Holocene.

Geologically, Hengill is a high-temperature volcanic system with extensive surface features such as lava fields, volcanic craters, and geothermal manifestations. The landscape is shaped by complex faulting and magma movement beneath the crust, and the region remains seismically active, with earthquakes driven by plate motion and hydrothermal processes.

Human use centers on geothermal energy. The Hengill district hosts two major power facilities: the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Station and the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. These plants exploit the area’s hot springs and high-temperature fluids to supply electricity and, in Nesjavellir’s case, district heating to nearby communities, including the Reykjavik region.

Eruption history is Holocene in scale, but there have been no historical eruptions in recent memory. Today, Hengill is viewed as a dormant, yet geothermally active, volcanic system. The area is accessible to visitors and is known for hiking and its stark volcanic terrain, offering views of lava fields and steaming vents alongside its energy infrastructure.