What do the colors on the contour map of Askja (1516m) mean?

The contour map uses a hypsometric color scale where green represents lower elevations, yellow and orange indicate mid-range altitudes, and white marks the highest zones near the summit. Thicker contour lines (index contours) are drawn at wider intervals to help you quickly estimate elevation.

What is the contour interval for Askja (1516m)?

The contour map of Askja (1516m) uses a 50m contour interval. This means each line represents a 50m change in elevation. Closely spaced contours indicate steeper terrain, while widely spaced contours show gentler slopes.

What does the elevation profile of Askja (1516m) show?

The elevation profile is a cross-section through Askja (1516m) from west to east, passing through the summit at 1,516m. It reveals the mountain's shape, steepness, and relative height compared to the surrounding terrain. The horizontal axis shows distance in kilometers from the peak.

What is the snow line on Askja (1516m)?

At Askja (1516m)'s latitude (65°), the estimated permanent snow line is approximately 1,500m. Since Askja (1516m) reaches 1,516m, about 16m of the mountain extends above the snow line. This is shown as a dashed blue line on the elevation profile.

Why does Askja (1516m) have a caldera?

The contour map of Askja (1516m) reveals a large caldera — a basin formed when the magma chamber beneath the volcano emptied during a massive eruption, causing the summit to collapse inward.

Askja (1516m)

Askja stands at 1516 meters in Iceland, Europe. This peak is classified as a Caldera.

Elevation

1516 m

Prominence

— m

Coordinates

65.050000, -16.750000

Type

caldera

Elevation Comparison

Volcanic

About This Mountain

Askja (1516m) is a peak in Iceland, Iceland. Grade 2/5: moderate trek requiring good physical fitness. A distinctive summit within its local topography. Well-marked paths and reasonable gradients make it achievable for fit hikers.

Routes

Viti Crater Circuit (Askja) 2

8.00 km · 4.0h

Seasonal Conditions

Topographic Analysis

Contour Map

The topographic contour map of Askja (1516m) shows near-circular contours that open inward, revealing the collapsed crater basin. Contour lines are drawn at 50m intervals, with index contours (thicker lines) every 250m. The hypsometric color scale ranges from green (lower elevations) through yellow and orange to white (highest elevations near the 1,516m summit). Above 1,500m, the estimated snow line at this latitude, contours transition to cooler tones indicating permanent snow and ice.

Elevation Profile

The east–west elevation profile of Askja (1516m) shows the terrain cross-section through the summit at 1,516m. The color gradient transitions from green (valley floor) to white (summit zone), with the red summit marker indicating the peak. The dashed blue snow line at 1,500m marks the approximate elevation above which permanent snow persists year-round.