Southern Peninsula ( Icelandic : Suðurnes , Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈsʏːðʏrˌnɛːs] ) is an administrative unit and part of Reykjanesskagi (pronounced [ˈreiːcaˌnɛsˌskaijɪ] ), or Reykjanes Peninsula , a region in southwest Iceland . It was named after Reykjanes , the southwestern tip of Reykjanesskagi.
21-465: The region has a population of 27,829 (2020) and is one of the more densely populated parts of the island. The administrative centre is Keflavík , which had 7,000 residents when it merged with the nearby town of Njarðvík and Hafnir in 1995 to create Reykjanesbær , which is the largest settlement outside the Greater Reykjavík area; in 2018 the region had a population of 17,805. The region
42-547: A new bout of seismic activity occurred around Grindavík, prompting the town's evacuation and the declaration of a state of emergency over the threat of an imminent volcanic eruption, culminating in the 2023-2024 Sundhnúkur eruptions . The Southern Peninisula contains the south western portion of the Reykjanes volcanic belt, where the continuation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and its submarine Reykjanes Ridge with
63-464: Is subpolar oceanic ( Köppen : Cfc ) with cool summers and moderately cold winters. There is not a truly dry month but June is the month that gets the least amount of precipitation. Winter high temperatures average above the freezing mark, and summer high temperatures are cool to mild. The warmest month on average is July with an average high of 14.2 °C (58 °F) and the coldest is January with an average high of 3.4 °C (38 °F). The town
84-431: Is an administrative unit and part of Reykjanesskagi (pronounced [ˈreiːcaˌnɛsˌskaijɪ] ), or Reykjanes Peninsula , a region in southwest Iceland . It was named after Reykjanes , the southwestern tip of Reykjanesskagi. The region has a population of 27,829 (2020) and is one of the more densely populated parts of the island. The administrative centre is Keflavík , which had 7,000 residents when it merged with
105-480: Is included in the municipality of Reykjanesbær whose population as of 2016 is 15,129. In 1995, Keflavík merged with nearby Njarðvík and Hafnir to form the municipality of Reykjanesbær . Keflavík International Airport , the country's largest airport (serving nearby Reykjavík ) is adjacent to the town. Keflavík was founded by Scottish entrepreneurs and engineers in the 16th century, and developed on account of its fishing and fish processing industry. In
126-530: Is marked by active volcanism under its surface and large lava fields, allowing little vegetation. There are numerous hot springs in the southern half of the peninsula, around the Kleifarvatn lake and the Krýsuvík geothermal area. There is a geothermal power station at Svartsengi . Near the power station a luxury spa and pool area has been installed using the hot and mineralized water coming down from
147-633: Is promoted to tourists as marking the boundary between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates . It was built in 2002 and previously named Leif the Lucky bridge in honor of Icelandic explorer Leif Eriksson who traveled from Europe to America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus . A great deal of volcanic unrest was occurring in this part of the Reykjanes Peninsula from 2020 onward, after nearly 800 years of inactivity. After
168-825: Is represented in sports by Íþrótta- og ungmennafélag Keflavíkur . The former NATO military base Naval Air Station Keflavik is used as a setting for an important story line in Tom Clancy 's novel Red Storm Rising . Clancy speculated about the base, the geography, local flora, and the station equipment. NAS Keflavik is also a central setting in Icelandic writer Arnaldur Indriðason's 1999 mystery Napóleonsskjölin , translated into English in 2011 as Operation Napoleon . [REDACTED] Media related to Keflavík at Wikimedia Commons Southern Peninsula (Iceland) Southern Peninsula ( Icelandic : Suðurnes , Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈsʏːðʏrˌnɛːs] )
189-415: Is the location of Keflavík International Airport , the major point of entry for Iceland. Some fishing towns, such as Grindavík , Njarðvík and Sandgerði , are situated on the peninsula. The peninsula is marked by active volcanism under its surface and large lava fields, allowing little vegetation. There are numerous hot springs in the southern half of the peninsula, around the Kleifarvatn lake and
210-600: The Hengill volcanic system, the most eastern system, has an additional central volcano , but this is outside the Southern Peninsula. Tephra deposits from offshore explosive Holocene eruptions have been preserved on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Keflav%C3%ADk Keflavík (pronounced [ˈcʰɛplaˌviːk] , meaning Driftwood Bay ) is a town in the Reykjanes region in southwest Iceland . It
231-446: The Krýsuvík geothermal area. There is a geothermal power station at Svartsengi . Near the power station a luxury spa and pool area has been installed using the hot and mineralized water coming down from the power station; it is known as the " Blue Lagoon " ( Bláa Lónið ). The Bridge Between Continents spans the Álfagjá [ˈaulvaˌcauː] rift valley (60 feet (18 m) wide and 20 feet (6.1 m) deep) near Grindavík, which
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#1732772353913252-422: The Reykjanes , Svartsengi , Fagradalsfjall , Krýsuvík , Brennisteinsfjöll , and Hengill volcanic systems). These are closely spaced en-echelon fissure systems, extending across the Reykjanes Peninsula.). Each volcanic system on the peninsula consists of (volcanic and tectonic) fissures and faults directed mostly NE-SW and may have other features such as lava fields and postglacial basaltic crater rows. Only
273-882: The 1940s an airport was built next to the town by the United States military , which served as an important refueling stop for trans-Atlantic flights, especially during World War II . During the Cold War , Naval Air Station Keflavik played an important role in monitoring marine and submarine traffic from the Norwegian and Greenland seas into the Atlantic Ocean . Forces from the United States Air Force were added to provide radar monitoring, fighter intercept, in-flight refueling, and aerial/marine rescue. With increasing ranges for aircraft and
294-523: The declaration of a state of emergency over the threat of an imminent volcanic eruption, culminating in the 2023-2024 Sundhnúkur eruptions . The Southern Peninisula contains the south western portion of the Reykjanes volcanic belt, where the continuation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and its submarine Reykjanes Ridge with the transitional Eldey volcanic system , rise above sea level. The Reykjanes volcanic belt has between 3 and 6 volcanic systems (depending on author -see map for 6 system on land classification of
315-567: The dissolution of the Soviet Union , the base became less important, and the last U.S. personnel were withdrawn in 2006. Within Iceland, Keflavík was renowned as a rich source of musicians during the 1960s and 1970s, and came to be known as bítlabærinn [ˈpihtlaˌpaiːrɪn] or " The Beatle Town". The local geography is dominated by fields of basalt rubble, interspersed with a few hardy plants and mosses. The climate of Keflavík
336-470: The eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano started on 19 March 2021, National Geographic 's experts predicted that this "may mark the start of decades of volcanic activity". The eruption was small, leading to a prediction that this volcano was unlikely to threaten "any population centers". In November 2023, a new bout of seismic activity occurred around Grindavík, prompting the town's evacuation and
357-414: The nearby town of Njarðvík and Hafnir in 1995 to create Reykjanesbær , which is the largest settlement outside the Greater Reykjavík area; in 2018 the region had a population of 17,805. The region is the location of Keflavík International Airport , the major point of entry for Iceland. Some fishing towns, such as Grindavík , Njarðvík and Sandgerði , are situated on the peninsula. The peninsula
378-411: The peninsula consists of (volcanic and tectonic) fissures and faults directed mostly NE-SW and may have other features such as lava fields and postglacial basaltic crater rows. Only the Hengill volcanic system, the most eastern system, has an additional central volcano , but this is outside the Southern Peninsula. Tephra deposits from offshore explosive Holocene eruptions have been preserved on
399-581: The power station; it is known as the " Blue Lagoon " ( Bláa Lónið ). The Bridge Between Continents spans the Álfagjá [ˈaulvaˌcauː] rift valley (60 feet (18 m) wide and 20 feet (6.1 m) deep) near Grindavík, which is promoted to tourists as marking the boundary between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates . It was built in 2002 and previously named Leif the Lucky bridge in honor of Icelandic explorer Leif Eriksson who traveled from Europe to America nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus . A great deal of volcanic unrest
420-437: The transitional Eldey volcanic system , rise above sea level. The Reykjanes volcanic belt has between 3 and 6 volcanic systems (depending on author -see map for 6 system on land classification of the Reykjanes , Svartsengi , Fagradalsfjall , Krýsuvík , Brennisteinsfjöll , and Hengill volcanic systems). These are closely spaced en-echelon fissure systems, extending across the Reykjanes Peninsula. ). Each volcanic system on
441-429: Was occurring in this part of the Reykjanes Peninsula from 2020 onward, after nearly 800 years of inactivity. After the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano started on 19 March 2021, National Geographic 's experts predicted that this "may mark the start of decades of volcanic activity". The eruption was small, leading to a prediction that this volcano was unlikely to threaten "any population centers". In November 2023,
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