Skjaldbreiður
Volcano Large Icelandic shield volcano near Thingvellir National Park
A flat shield volcano in southwest Iceland, Skjaldbreiður formed from fluid basaltic eruptions after glaciation; visitors study its geology and reach it from Golden Circle routes for hikes and photography.
Skjaldbreiður is a classic Icelandic shield volcano notable for its broad, rounded profile formed by extensive, low-viscosity basaltic lava flows. It is considered one of the best examples of shield volcanism in Iceland and gives the volcano its descriptive name.
The volcano’s morphology is dominated by gentle slopes rather than steep stratovolcanic cones, reflecting the eruption style that produced widespread sheet-like flows. Although formed in the early postglacial period, the volcano is not associated with frequent recent eruptions and is a prominent landscape feature.
Visitors view the volcano from surrounding roads and vantage points in west Iceland; the area around it contains other volcanic landforms and geomorphological features typical of Iceland’s volcanic zones.
Geographically it lies in western Iceland within the island’s volcanic province and is visible from the Borgarfjörður area and nearby highland approaches.
- Name and morphology: The name means "broad shield" and refers to the volcano's gently sloping, shield-like profile built by low-viscosity basaltic lavas.
Best Time to Visit Skjaldbreiður #
Visit Skjaldbreiður and surrounding highland areas in summer (June-August) when roads and trails are most accessible and daylight is longest.
Weather & Climate near Skjaldbreiður #
Skjaldbreiður's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in March). Temperatures range from -8°C to 10°C. Abundant rainfall (1282 mm/year), wettest in October, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (115 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (129 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -7°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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