Kleifarvatn

This article is about the lake in Iceland. For the novel named after the lake, see Kleifarvatn (novel).

Kleifarvatn
Lake Kleifarvatn in Iceland
Location	Reykjanes
Coordinates	63°55′N 21°59′W
Basin countries	Iceland
Max. depth	97 m (as of 2000)

Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, situated in the southern part of the peninsula. It is located on the fissure zone of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The lake has no visible water coming in or going out as most of its water comes and leaves underground. The lake can be reached via a track, and there are two areas with high temperature that can be found not far from it: Seltún/Krýsuvík and another to the east. The lake's greatest depth is 97 m. After the big earthquake in 2000, the lake began to diminish, and 20% of its surface has since disappeared.

The cracks that opened up in the earthquake have since then slowly filled again and by 2008 the lake had regained its previous surface level.

Kleifarvatn, June 2008

The novel Kleifarvatn by Icelandic writer Arnaldur Indriðason was named after the lake.

See also

• Volcanism in Iceland
• List of lakes of Iceland

External links

• Photos
• More information and photos about Kleifarvatn on Hit Iceland
• Kleifarvatn – Photo gallery
• "Iceland Lake Disappearing Into New Crack in Earth", Bijal P. Trivedi, National Geographic Today, October 1, 2001