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Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Gudmundsson A T, 1986b. {Iceland-Fires}. Reykjavik: Vaka-Helgafell, 168 p

Gunnarsson B, Marsh B D, Taylor H P Jr, 1998. Generation of Icelandic rhyolites: silicic lavas from the Torfajokull central volcano. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 83: 1-45

Jakobsson S P, 1979. Petrology of recent basalts of the eastern volcanic zone, Iceland. {Acta Nat Islandica}, 26: 1-103

Johannesson H, Jakobsson S P, Saemundsson K, 1982. Geological map of Iceland, sheet 6, south Iceland. {Icelandic Museum Nat Hist & Iceland Geodetic Surv}, 1:250,000 geol map, 2nd edition

Johannesson H, Saemundsson K, 1998. Geological map of Iceland, 1:500,000. Tectonics. {Icelandic Inst Nat Hist, Reykjavik}

Larsen G, 1984. Recent volcanic history of the Veidivotn fissure swarm, southern Iceland - an approach to volcanic risk assessment. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 22: 33-58

MacDonald R, McGarvie D W, Pinkerton H, Smith R L, Palacz Z A, 1990. Petrogenetic evolution of the Torfajokull Volcanic Complex, Iceland I. Relationship between the magma types. {J Petr}, 31: 429-459

McGarvie D M, MacDonald R, Pinkerton H, Smith R L, 1990. Petrogenetic evolution of the Torfajokull Volcanic Complex, Iceland II. The role of magma mixing. {J Petr}, 31: 461-481

McGarvie D W, Burgess R, Tindle A G, Tuffen H, Stevenson J A, 2006. Pleistocene rhyolitic volcanism at Torfajokull, Iceland: eruption ages, glaciovolcanism, and geochemical evolution. {Jokull}, 56: 57-75

Saemundsson K, 1972. Notes on the geology of the Torfajokull central volcano. {Natturufraedingurinn}, 42: 81-89 (in Icelandic with English summary)

Saemundsson K, 1988. The geology of the Torfajokull region. {Arbok Ferdafelags Islands 1988}, p 164-180

Soosalu H, Einarsson P, 2004. Seismic constraints on magma chambers at Hekla and Torfajokull volcanoes, Iceland. {Bull Volc}, 66: 276-286

Soosalu H, Einarsson P, 1997. Seismicity around the Hekla and Torfajokull volcanoes, Iceland, during a volcanically quiet period, 1991-1995. {Bull Volc}, 59: 36-48

Steinthorsson S, et al., 2002. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World - Iceland}. {Unpublished manuscript}

Thordarson T, Hoskuldsson A, 2008. Postglacial eruptions in Iceland. {Jokull}, 58: 197-228

Tuffen H, Gilbert J, McGarvie D, 2001. Products of an effusive subglacial rhyolite eruption: Blahnukur, Torfajokull, Iceland. {Bull Volc}, 63: 179-190

Wilson L, Fagents S A, Robshaw L E, Scott E D, 2007. Vent geometry and eruptions conditions of the mixed rhyolite-basalt Namshraun lava flow, Iceland. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 164: 127-141

The Torfajökull central volcano, located north of Myrdalsjökull and south of Thorisvatn lake, is cut by a 12-km-wide caldera that formed during the Pleistocene. Torjajökull consists of the largest area of silicic and intermediate volcanism in Iceland; about 225 cu km of silicic extrusive rocks are exposed. The dominantly rhyolitic complex rises about 500 m above surrounding basaltic plains and is elongated in a WNW-ESE direction. Most rhyolitic lava flows were erupted subglacially, forming silicic hyaloclastites that form ridge and dome-shaped breccias. During postglacial times only a narrow fissure zone at the western end has been active, producing mostly silicic lava flows, lava domes, and tephras. The most recent silicic eruption produced the Hrafntinnuhraun lava flow about 900 AD. The fissure system is along trend with and was active at the same time as the basaltic Veidivötn fissure system of Bárdarbunga central volcano in 1477 AD. The small Torfajökull icecap lies mostly outside the SE rim of the caldera, which is the site of vigorous thermal activity over a broad area of 130-140 sq km.