Richard S.
Williams, Jr.
U.S. Geological Survey
Quissett Campus
Woods Hole, MA 02543 U.S.A.
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OPEN-FILE REPORT 95-807
October 1995
This report is preliminary and has not been
reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards.
Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and
does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
This manuscript is available in .rtf and WordPerfect formats
for download, or it may be printed from this html version
(reduce your margin width to ensure full printing of the tabular material).
Introduction
When dealing with Icelandic names of physical geographic features on
maps and in journal articles it is important for students of the geology of
Iceland to recognize that most place-names are compound words. For example, the
volcanic island Surtsey is a compound word derived from the root ey, the
Icelandic word for island, and Surts, the genitive case of Surtur, a
mythological Norse giant of fire (world destroyer). Svartifoss, the beautiful
cascade which flows over columnar basalts along the course of Bćjargil in
Skaftafell National Park, is a compound word derived from foss, the Icelandic
word for waterfall, and svarti, the definite nominative case form of svartur,
the Icelandic adjective for the color black. Snćfellsjökull, an imposing
stratovolcano at the tip of the Snćfellsnes peninsula on the north side of
Faxaflói (named after the small ice cap (11 km2) on its summit), is a compound word
derived from snć, the root of snćr, an Icelandic word for snow; and fells, the
genitive case of the Icelandic word for a usually isolated mountain, plus the
word jökull, the Icelandic word for glacier (etymologically the same origin as
the word icicle in English).
Icelandic is rich in words which describe natural features and phenomena
often in a very poetic way, such as Snćfellsjökull (described above),
Skjaldbreiđur ("broad shield"), and Herđubreiđ ("broad
shoulders"). Because Icelandic and English are derivations of an older
parent Germanic language, some words have retained a similar spelling and usage
even after the passage of more than a thousand years or more (for example,
fingur-finger, frost, mýri-mire (swamp), land, norđur-north, bull (nonsense),
etc.). Icelandic (Old Norse) has remained virtually unchanged, while English
has evolved through several well defined stages: "Old English"
(pre-1100 A.D.), "Middle English" (1100 A.D. to 1500 A.D.), and
"Modern English" (post-1500 A.D.) and has been strongly influenced by
the Latin and French languages.
Icelandic and English share a generally common alphabet except for three
Icelandic letters, eth (đ,Đ), thorn (ţ, Ţ), and ae (ć, Ć), three letters once
used in English and four English letters not used in Icelandic. The letters c,
q, w are not used in Icelandic except in a few foreign loanwords. The letter z
was used in place of the s in some Icelandic words until a few years ago (for
example, Íslenzk, now Íslensk). Icelandic also uses diacritical marks to denote
independent vowel sounds. Modern Icelandic has 33 letters in its alphabet: a,
á, b, d, đ , e, é, f, g, h, i, í, j, k, l, m, n, o, ó, p, r, s, t, u, ú, v, x,
y, ý, z, ţ, ć, and ö (note that words beginning with ţ, ć, and ö are listed as
the last three letters in Icelandic dictionaries). There are 14 discrete vowels
(printed and spoken) used in Icelandic versus 6 printed vowels (and many more
spoken) used in modern English. The transliteration of the Icelandic alphabet
into the English alphabet usually results in the deletion of all diacritical
notations over the vowels and the use of a d or D for đ and Đ, th or Th for ţ
and Ţ, and ae or Ae for ć and Ć.
As noted before, in the past 1,100 years English has undergone profound
changes; Icelandic is little changed; English has lost most of its inflexions
(case endings); Icelandic has retained its inflexions (it employs four singular
and plural case endings for the three grammatical genders: masculine, feminine,
and neuter). Also, the Northern Branch (Icelandic, Fćroese, Norwegian, Swedish,
and Danish) of the Germanic Language uses a post-positive article, in which the
definite article (the) generally follows and is attached to the noun, such as
in the title of the Icelandic scientific journal Náttúrufrćđingurinn (The
Naturalist). The definite article can precede the noun if an intervening
adjective is used, however, as in Hiđ íslenska náttúrufrćđifélag (The Icelandic
Natural History Society). Hinn hvíti jökull (the white glacier) can also be
expressed as hvíti jökullinn. In addition, the definite article must agree in
gender number and case with the noun. No indefinite article (a or an) is used
in Icelandic; the absence of the definite article indicates the sense of an
indefinite article.
The following masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns are declined in the
singular and plural for each of the four cases: nominative (subject),
accusative (direct object), dative (indirect object), and genitive
(possessive), first without and then with the definite article.
|
jökull (glacier) - masculine noun (a glacier) (glaciers) sg. nom. jökull pl. nom. jöklar acc. jökul acc. jökla dat. jökli dat. jöklum gen. jökuls gen. jökla (the glacier) (the
glaciers) sg. nom jökullinn pl. nom. jöklarnir acc. jökulinn acc. jöklana dat. jöklinum dat. jöklunum gen. jökulsins gen. jöklanna borg (rocky hill) - feminine noun (a rocky hill) (rocky
hills) sg. nom. borg pl. nom. borgir acc. borg acc. borgir dat. borg dat. borgum gen. borgar gen. borga (the rocky hill) (the
rocky hills) sg. nom. borgin pl. nom. borgirnar acc. borgina acc. borgirnar dat. borginni dat. borgunum gen. borgarinnar gen. borganna vatn (lake) - neuter noun (a lake) (lakes) sg. nom. vatn pl. nom. vötn acc. vatn acc. vötn dat. vatni dat. vötnum gen. vatns gen. vatna (the lake) (the
lakes) sg. nom. vatniđ pl. nom. vötnin acc. vatniđ acc. vötnin dat. vatninu dat. vötnunum gen. vatnsins gen. vatnanna |
Jökull, borg, and vatn appear frequently as compounds in Icelandic geographic place-names, such as in Snćfellsjökull, Vatnajökull, Jökulsá á Fjöllum, etc.; Eldborg, Vikraborgir, Ţrengslaborgir, etc.; and Vatnaöldur, Grćnavatn, Veiđivötn, etc., respectively.
Another grammatical characteristic that Icelandic shares with English is
radical changes in spelling of words in different grammatical cases and from
singular to plural forms. For example, the Icelandic word for mountain, fjall,
becomes fjöll in the nominative (and accusative) plural (mountains) as in
Hverfjall, Hlíđarfjall, Fögrufjöll, and Dyngjufjöll. A usually isolated
mountain in Icelandic is called a fell, as in Búrfell or Snćfellsjökull. The
Icelandic word for island, ey, such as in Surtsey, becomes eyjar in the
genitive singular, as in Eldeyjarbođi, or when used in the plural for a group
of islands (Vestmannaeyjar). The genitive singular case is commonly used in the
first part of compound place-names in Icelandic.
The Icelandic desire to maintain the "purity" of its spoken
and written language is shown in its resistance to acceptance of foreign
loanwords. Hence, there is a great lack of cognates in the modern technical and
scientific literature. Rather than accept foreign words, most new technical and
scientific words are coined from existing Icelandic words. In addition to the
challenge of learning Icelandic, the serious student of the geoscience
literature of Iceland is faced with also learning a specialized scientific
vocabulary with few cognates.
The appendix on Icelandic-English Glossary of Selected Geoscience Terms
will assist the reader in making a smoother transition to and a better
understanding of Icelandic place-names and other geoscience terms commonly used
on maps and in the geoscience literature of Iceland. For those readers
interested in the origin of Icelandic geographic place-names, the publications
of Örnefnastofnun Ţjóđminjasafns, Suđurgötu 41, IS-101 Reykjavík, are
expecially usefull. In 1980 and 1983, respectively, the Director of
Örnefnastofnun Ţjóđminjasafns, Dr. Ţórhallur Vilmundarson, edited and published
the first two volumes of Grímnir (Rit um nafnfrćđi), a periodical devoted to
scholarly research into the origin of geographic place-names in Iceland
(Ţórhallur Vilmundarson, 1980 and 1983). The best reference work to Icelandic
geographic place-names is the two-volume set "Landiđ ţitt", later
expanded into six volumes by Ţorsteinn Jósepsson and Steindór Steindórsson
(1981, 1983, and 1984) and Ţorsteinn Jósepsson and others (1982,1984, and
1985).
The Icelandic-English Glossary of Selected Geoscience Terms has been
compiled from a variety of published sources, including glossaries or indexes
included in various scientific publications, map legends or explanations,
guidebooks, textbooks, journal articles, and selected dictionaries. A list of
these appears at the end of the glossary in Glossary sources.
The following Icelandic-English Glossary of Selected Geoscience Terms is
organized into four columns: Icelandic word (nominative singular); class of
word and gender (nm, noun-masculine; nf, noun-feminine; nn, noun-neuter; am,
adjective-masculine; af, adjective-feminine; an, adjective-neuter; ad, adverb;
p, preposition; and c, conjunction); Icelandic word (nominative plural); and
equivalent word(s) in English. Synonyms of Icelandic words are given in
parentheses in the first column. Icelandic words are given for most of the
subdisciplines of geology, geophysics, and geochemistry, and related
subdisciplines in the geosciences. In most cases the addition of the -ingur
suffix to the Icelandic word for a scientific discipline will yield the correct
word for the scientist active in that discipline. For example, jarđfrćđi is the
Icelandic word for geology; jarđfrćđingur is the Icelandic word for a
geologist.
Superscripts (asterisks or numbers) and dashes are used throughout the
glossary to assist the reader. A single asterisk (*) signifies a loanword, a
word borrowed intact or slightly naturalized from another language. It is
either used independently or in a compound word (combined with an Icelandic
word). A double asterisk (**) indicates that the plural form is not used in the
same context. A triple asterisk (***) signifies that a plural form exists but
is not commonly used . In many instances, the plural form exists in a
“grammatical” sense but is not necessarily used in a “geological” sense. A dash
(-) indicates either that there is no plural form or the plural form is not
used - or that there is no singular form or the singular form is not used. All
other superscripts are defined in Glossary notes.
Icelandic-English Glossary
ICELANDIC |
ENGLISH |
||
Singular |
Class/Gender |
Plural |
|
afflćđi |
nn |
|
regression |
afrétt(ur) |
nm |
afréttir |
highland pasture(s) |
akur |
nm |
akrar |
field(s) |
alda |
nf |
öldur |
rounded "smooth" ridge(s), waves(s) |
almenn jarđfrćdi |
af+nf |
|
general or physical geology |
andhverfa |
nf |
andhverfur |
anticline(s) |
andhverfuás |
nm |
andhverfuásar |
anticlinal axis (es) |
apalhraun |
nn |
apalhraun |
aa lava, blocky lava |
aska |
nf |
|
tephra, volcanic ash |
askja |
nf |
öskjur |
caldera(s) |
aur |
nm |
- |
mud |
aurkeila |
nf |
aurkeilur |
alluvial fan(s) |
austur (1) |
|
nn/ad |
east |
á |
nf |
ár |
river(s), stream(s) |
áflćđi |
nn |
- |
transgression |
árbugđa |
nf |
árbugđur |
meander(s) |
árset |
nn |
árset |
fluvial deposit(s) |
ás |
nm |
ásar |
small ridge(s) |
|
|||
bakki |
nm |
bakkar |
the bank of a brook, stream, river or the sea; the edge of a gjá, the land along the coast or a river; a hill or low lying ridge |
basalthraun* |
nn |
basalthraun* |
basaltic lava flows |
am |
basískir* (4) |
basic |
|
berg (steinn) |
nn |
berg |
rock(s) |
bergásýnd |
nf |
bergásýndir |
facies |
bergfrćđi |
nf |
|
petrology |
berggangur |
nm |
berggangar |
dike(s) |
berggeitill |
nm |
berggeitlar |
laccolith(s) |
berggrunnur |
nm |
** |
bedrock |
berghlaup |
nn |
berghlaup |
rockslide(s) |
berghleifur |
nm |
berghleifar |
batholith(s) |
bergkvika |
nf |
bergkvikur |
magma |
bergskriđa |
nf |
bergskriđur |
rockslide(s) |
bergsprunga |
nf |
bergsprungur |
tectonic fracture(s), eruption fissure(s) |
bergtegundafrćđi |
nf |
|
petrology |
bergćđ |
nf |
bergćđar |
vein(s) |
bjarg |
nn |
björg |
cliff(s), rock(s), crag(s) |
blágrýti |
nn |
|
basalt (fine-grained) (usually Tertiary-age) |
borg |
nf |
borgir |
rocky hill(s), city(ies), fortification(s), castle(s) |
borhola |
nf |
borholur |
borehole(s) |
botn |
nm |
botnar |
bottom, head of a valley or fjord |
bólstraberg |
nn |
|
pillow lava |
brekka |
nf |
brekkur |
slope(s) |
breksía* (brotaberg) |
nf |
breksíur* |
breccia(s) |
brennisteinn |
nm |
|
sulphur |
brennisteinnshver (3) |
nm |
brennissteinshverir (3) |
solfatara(s) |
brotaberg |
nn |
|
breccia |
brotakerfi |
nn |
brotakerfi |
fracture systems(s) |
bruni |
nm |
brunar |
burning; in the singular form it also means a lava field |
brunnur |
nm |
brunnar |
wells(s), spring(s), usually manmade |
brú |
nf |
brýr |
bridge(s) |
brún |
nf |
brúnir |
edge(s), border(s) |
brúnkol (surtarbrandur) |
nn |
brúnkol |
lignite |
bunga |
nf |
bungur |
rounded hill(s) |
byggđ |
nf |
byggđir |
inhabited district(s) |
bćr |
nm |
bćir |
farm(s), town(s), farmhouse(s), borough(s) |
|
|||
daljökull |
nm |
daljöklar |
valley glacier(s) |
dalur |
nm |
dalir |
valley(s), dale(s) |
dasít* |
nn |
|
dacite |
nn |
|
dolerite |
|
dílótt storkuberg |
an+nn |
|
porphyritic igneous rock |
djúp |
nn |
djúp |
deep, part of the sea, long inlet |
djúpberg |
nn |
|
plutonic rock |
nn |
|
dolerite |
|
drag |
nn |
drög |
shallow or indistinct water course(s) |
dragá |
nf |
dragár |
direct run-off river(s) |
drangi/drangur |
nm |
drangar |
isolated column(s) or pillars of rock |
dyngja |
nf |
dyngjur |
shield volcano(es), lava shield(s), dome(s) |
dyngjuhvirfill |
nm |
dyngjuhvirflar |
top of shield volcano(es) or lava shield(s) |
dyngjuröđ |
nf |
dyngjurađir |
lava shield row(s) |
|
|||
eftir ísöld (nútími) |
p+nf |
|
Post-Pleistocene, postglacial, Holocene |
eldborg |
nf |
eldborgir |
lava ring(s), lava cone(s) |
eldborgaröđ |
nf |
eldborgarađir |
lava cone row(s) |
eldfjall (eldstöđ) |
nn |
eldfjöll |
volcano(es) |
eldgjá |
nf |
eldgjár |
lava fissure(s) |
eldgos |
nf |
eldgos |
volcanic eruption(s) |
eldhryggur |
nm |
eldhryggir |
stratified ridge(s), composite ridge(s) |
eldkeila |
nf |
eldkeilur |
stratovolcano(es), composite cone(s) |
eldstöđ (eldfjall) |
nf |
eldstöđvar |
volcano(es), eruption crater(s) or site(s) |
eldur |
nm |
eldar |
fire(s), volcanic eruption(s) |
eldvirkni |
nf |
|
volcanism, volcanic activity |
engi |
nn |
engi |
meadow(s), grassland(s) |
ey |
nf |
eyjar |
island(s), isle(s) |
eyri |
nf |
eyrar |
sandspit(s), gravel bank(s), delta(s), sand |
eystri (1) |
ad |
|
farther east |
|
|||
falljökull |
nm |
falljöklar |
ice fall(s) |
fasajafnvćgi |
nn |
|
phase equilibria |
fell |
nn |
fell |
hill(s), mountain(s), generally, but not in all cases, isolated |
felling |
nf |
fellingar |
fold(s) |
fjall |
nn |
fjöll |
mountain(s) |
fjallgarđur |
nm |
fjallgarđar |
mountain range(s) |
fjalljökull |
nm |
fjalljöklar |
mountian glacier(s) |
fjara (strönd) |
nf |
fjörur |
beach(es), ebb, ebb-tide, low water |
fjarkönnun |
nf |
|
remote sensing |
fjörđur |
nm |
firđir |
fjord(s) |
flikruberg |
nn |
flikruberg |
ignimbrite(s), welded ash-flow tuff(s) |
flöguberg |
nn |
flöguberg |
shale(s) |
flóđ |
nn |
flóđ |
flood(s) |
fljót |
nn |
fljót |
large river(s) |
flói |
nm |
flóar |
large bay(s), marsh(es), fens |
fokjarđvegur |
nm |
|
loess |
foksandur |
nm |
forksandar |
eolian sand |
fornlífsöld |
nf |
|
Paleozoic Era |
fornsegulmagn |
nn |
|
paleomagnetism |
forsögulegur (4) |
am |
forsögulegir (4) |
prehistoric |
forsöguleg (4) |
af |
forsöguleg (4) |
prehistoric |
forsögulegt (4) |
an |
forsöguleg (4) |
prehistoric |
foss |
nm |
fossar |
waterfall(s) |
framskriđ |
nn |
framskriđ |
glacier advance |
frumlífsöld |
nf |
|
Proterozoic Era |
|
|||
gabbró* |
nn |
gabbró* |
gabbro |
gangur |
nm |
gangar |
dike(s) |
garđur |
nm |
garđar |
garden(s), yard(s), dike or low wall of earth or stone |
geislasamsćta |
nf |
gelslasamsćtur |
radioisotopes |
geislasteinn |
nm |
geislasteinar |
zeolite(s) |
gervigígur |
nm |
gervigígar |
pseudocrater(s), rootless cone(s) |
gil |
nn |
gil |
ravine(s), gorge(s), gully(ies) |
gígur |
nm |
gígar |
crater(s) |
gjall |
nn |
gjall |
scoria, cinder |
gjallgígur |
nm |
gjallgígar |
scoria cone(s) |
gjallgígaröđ |
nf |
gjallgígarađir |
scoria cone row(s) |
gjallkenndur4 |
am |
gjallkenndir |
scoriaceous |
gjallkennd4 |
af |
gjallkenndar4 |
scoriaceous |
gjallkennt4 |
an |
gjallkennd4 |
scoriaceous |
gjá |
nf |
gjár |
tectonic fissure(s)/chasm(s)/cleft(s) |
gjóska (gosmöl/gosaska/aska/vikur) |
nf |
gjóskur |
tephra/pyroclastics [infrequently used] |
gjóskuberg |
nn |
gjóskuberg |
tuff (indurated) |
gljúfur |
nn |
gljúfur |
rocky ravine(s), canyon(s), gorge(s) |
gnípa |
nf |
gnípur |
pinnacle(s), peak(s), mountain summit(s) |
gnúpur (núpur/hnjúkur) |
nm |
gnúpar |
peak(s), steep mountain(s) |
gos (2) |
nn |
gos2 |
eruption(s) of volcanoes and geysers |
gosaska (aska/gosmöl/gjóska/vikur) |
nf |
gosöskar |
tephra, volcanic ash [infrequently used] |
gosbelti |
nn |
gosbelti |
volcanic zone(s) |
gosberg |
nn |
- |
extrusive (volcanic) rock(s) |
goshver (3) |
nm |
goshverir (3) |
geyser |
gosketill (askja) |
nm |
goskatlar |
caldera(s) |
gosmöl (gjóska/vikur/gosaska/aska) |
nf |
- |
tephra |
gossprunga |
nf |
gossprungur |
eruptive fissure(s) |
grágrýti (dólerít*/díabas*) |
nn |
grágrýti |
dolerite(s) |
granít* |
nn |
- |
granite |
granófýr* |
nn |
- |
granophyre |
grettistak (grjót) |
nn |
grettistök |
glacial erratic(s) |
grjót (grettistak/stórgrýti) |
nn |
** |
stones/glacial erratic(s) |
grop |
nn |
- |
porosity |
grunn |
nn |
grunn |
shoal(s), shallows |
grunnvatn |
nn |
grunnvötn |
ground water |
grunnvatnsborđ |
nn |
grunnvatnsborđ |
groundwater table(s) |
grunnvatnsskil |
nn |
grunnvatnsskil |
groundwater divide(s) |
grćnn (4) |
am |
grćnir (4) |
green |
grćn (4) |
af |
grćnar (4) |
green |
grćnt (4) |
an |
grćn (4) |
green |
gufa |
nf |
gufur |
steam, vapor(s) |
gufuhver (3) |
nm |
gufuhverir (3) |
fumerole(s), solfatara(s), steam vent(s) |
|
|||
haf (sjór) |
nn |
höf |
sea(s), ocean(s) |
hafís |
nm |
*** |
sea ice |
hagi |
nm |
hagar |
pasture(s) |
háhitasvćđi (3) |
nn |
- |
high-temperature geothermal area (+200o C. at 1 km depth) |
hálendi |
nn |
- |
highlands |
halli (jarđlagahalli) |
nm |
hallar |
geologic dip(s) |
háls |
nm |
hálsar |
ridge(s) |
hamar |
nm |
hamrar |
crag(s), cliff(s), precipice(s), rock(s) |
haugur |
nm |
haugar |
hummock(s) |
heiđi |
nf |
heiđar |
heath(s) |
hellir |
nm |
hellar |
cave(s), cavern(s) |
helluhraun |
nn |
helluhraun |
pahoehoe lava(s), smooth lava(s) |
héađ |
nn |
héruđ |
region(s), district(s), locality(ies) |
hitaveita |
nf |
hitaveitur |
district-heat distribution systems(s) (geothermal) |
hjalli |
nm |
hjallar |
terrace(s) |
hjarn |
nn |
*** |
firn |
hlíđ |
nf |
hlíđar |
slope(s), mountainside(s) |
hljóđbrot |
nn |
hljóđbrot |
seismic refraction(s) |
hljóđhrađamćling |
nf |
hljóđhrađamćlingar |
exploration seismology; seismic survey(s) |
hljóđspeglun |
nf |
hljóđspeglanir |
seismic reflection(s) |
hlýskeiđ |
nn |
hlýskeiđ |
interglacial |
hnjúkur (núpur/gnúpur) |
nm |
hnjúkar |
peak(s) |
hnullungur |
nm |
hnullungar |
cobble(s)/boulder(s) |
hnyđlingur |
nm |
hnyđlingar |
xenolith(s) |
hnyklaberg |
nn |
hnyklaberg |
pillow lava(s) [infrequently used] |
holt |
nn |
holt |
hill(s)/wood(s)-(archaic meaning) |
hop |
nn |
hop |
glacier retreat(s) or recession(s) |
hóll |
nm |
hólar |
rounded hill(s), hillock(s), knoll(s) |
hólmur |
nm |
hólmar |
islet(s) |
hóp (lónavötn) |
nn |
hóp |
land-locked inlet(s) still influenced by tides |
hrafntinna |
nf |
- |
obsidian |
hraun |
nn |
hraun |
lava/lava flow(s), rock avalanche (rarely used; e.g., hrun) |
hraundrýli |
nn |
hraundrýli |
hornito(es) |
(hraun) flćđi |
nn |
- |
effusive lava flows [term only used during an eruption] |
hraunhellir |
nm |
hraunhellar |
lava tube(s) |
hreppur |
nm |
hreppar |
rural community(ies), districts(s) |
hringrás vatnsins |
nf+nn |
- |
hydrologic cycle |
hrunskriđa (skriđur) |
nf |
hrunskriđur |
talus |
hryggur |
nm |
hryggir |
ridge(s) |
hús |
nn |
hús |
house(s), building(s) |
hvalbak |
nn |
havalbök |
roche(s) moutonnée(s) |
hvammur |
nm |
hvammar |
grassy hollow(s), dell(s) |
hvarfleir |
nm |
- |
glacial varve(s) |
hver (3) |
nm |
hverir (3) |
hot spring(s) - (boiling or almost boiling water) |
hverahrúđur |
nn |
hverahrúđur |
hot-spring deposit(s) |
hverfjall (öskugígur) |
nn |
hverfjöll |
tephra ring(s) |
hvítur (4) |
am |
hvítir (4) |
white |
hyrna |
nf |
hyrnur |
mountain peak(s) (derived from horn) |
hćđ |
nf |
hćđir |
height(s)/hill(s) |
höfđi |
nm |
höfđar |
promontory(ies), cape(s), point(s), headland(s) |
höfn |
nf |
hafnir |
harbor(s), port(s) |
|
|||
innri (5) |
a |
- |
inner |
innskotsberg |
nn |
innskotsberg |
intrusion(s) |
innskotslag |
nn |
innskotslög |
sill(s) |
ís (6) |
nm |
ísar (6) |
ice (singular); sea, lake, river ice (plural) |
ísöld |
nf |
** |
Pleistocene Epoch |
ísrák (jökulrák) |
nf |
ísrákir |
glacial stria(ae) |
ísúr (4) |
am |
ísúrir (4) |
intermediate silica composition (52-65 percent) |
|
|||
jafnskjálftalína |
nf |
jafnskjálftalínur |
isoseism(s) |
jarđeđlisfrćđi |
nf |
- |
geophysics |
jarđefnafrćđi |
nf |
- |
geochemistry |
jarđeldasvćđi |
nn |
jarđeldasvćđi |
volcanic zone(s) |
jarđfrćđi |
nf |
** |
geology |
** |
nf |
jarđfrćđi |
geosciences |
jarđfrćđikort |
nn |
jarđfrćđikort |
geologic map(s) |
jarđgas |
nn |
jarđgös |
natural gas(es) |
jarđgrunnskort |
nn |
jarđgrunnskort |
surficial geologic map(s) |
jarđgrunnur |
nm |
- |
surficial deposits |
jarđhitaleit |
nf |
- |
geothermal exploration |
jarđhiti |
nm |
- |
geothermal heat, activity |
jarđlag |
nn |
jarđlög |
geologic stratum(a) or rock(s) |
jarđlagafrćđi |
nf |
- |
stratigraphy |
jarđlagahalli (halli) |
nm |
jarđlagahallar |
geologic dip(s) |
jarđlagastrik (strik) |
nn |
jarđlagastrik |
geologic strikes(s) |
jarđmyndun (myndun) |
nf |
jarđmyndanir |
geologic formations |
jarđolía |
nf |
jarđolíur |
petroleum (plural: several types of oil) |
jarđsaga |
nf |
- |
historical geology |
jarđskjálftafrćđi |
nf |
- |
seismology |
jarđskjálftamćlir |
nf |
jarđskjálftamćlar |
seismograph(s) |
jarđskjálfti (landskjálfti) |
nf |
jarđskjálftar |
earthquake(s) |
jarđskorpuhreyfing |
nf |
jarđskorpuhreyfingar |
tectonics |
jarđskorpa |
nf |
- |
lithosphere, crust |
jarđskriđ |
nn |
jarđskriđ |
solifluction(s) |
jarđtrog |
nn |
jarđtrog |
geosyncline(s) |
jarđvatn |
nn |
- |
subsurface water |
jarđvegur |
nm |
- |
soil(s) |
jökulá (jökulsá) |
nf |
jökulár |
glacier river(s) |
jökulalda (jökulgarđur/jökulurđ) |
nf |
jökulöldur |
terminal moraine(s), drumlin(s) |
jökulárset |
nn |
jökulárset |
fluvioglacial deposit(s) |
jökulberg |
nn |
- |
tillite |
jökulbreiđa |
nf |
jökulbreiđur |
ice sheet(s) |
- |
nf |
jöklabreytingar (jökulbreytingar) |
glacier variation |
jökuleyđing |
nf |
- |
deglaciation (7) |
jökulgap |
nn |
- |
bergschrund |
jökulgarđur (jökulalda/jökulurđ) |
nm |
jökulgarđar |
terminal moraine(s) (moraines) |
jökulhetta |
nf |
jökulhettur |
ice cap(s) |
jökulhlaup |
nn |
jökulhlaup |
glacier outburst flood(s) |
jökulkast |
nn |
jökulköst |
calving(s) of glacier terminus |
jökulkemba |
nf |
jökulkembur |
fluted moraine(s) |
jökulker |
nn |
jökulker |
ice kettle(s), ice cauldron(s) |
jökull |
nm |
jöklar |
glacier(s) |
jökulrák (ísrák) |
nf |
jökulrákir |
glacial stria(ae) |
jökulruđningur |
nm |
jökulruđningar |
glacial till(s); ground moraine; glacial drift |
jökulrönd |
nf |
jökulrendur/ jökulrandir |
margin(s) of a glacier |
jökulröst |
nf |
jökulrastir |
ice stream(s) |
jökulá (jökulsá) |
nf |
jökulár |
glacier river(s) |
jökulskál |
nf |
jökulskálar/jökulskálir |
cirque(s) |
jökulskeiđ |
nn |
jökulskeiđ |
glacial epoch(s) |
jökulsker |
nn |
jökulsker |
nunatak(s) |
jökulsprunga |
nf |
jökulsprungur |
glacier crevasse(s) |
jökulsvarf |
nn |
- |
glacial abrasion (e.g., fine particles) |
jökulsvörfun |
nf |
- |
glacial erosion (the process) |
jökultunga |
nf |
jökultungur |
glacier tongue(s) |
jökulurđ (jökulalda/jökulgarđur) |
nf |
jökulurđir |
moraine(s) |
jörđ |
nf |
jarđir |
earth, soil, Earth, farm(s) |
|
|||
kalkhrúđur |
nn |
kalkrúđur |
calcium carbonate deposit(s) from a hot spring |
kambur |
nm |
kambar |
crest of hill |
kaupstađur |
nm |
kaupstađir |
Icelandic town(s) with a special legal and administrative status: Reykjavík and 22 others |
kauptún |
nn |
kauptún |
village(s) |
keilugangur |
nf |
keilugangar |
inclined sheet(s) (intrusions), cone sheets |
kelda |
nf |
keldur |
pool(s), bottomless pit(s) |
ker (sprengigígur) |
nn |
ker |
maar(s) |
kirkja |
nf |
kirkjur |
church(es) |
kísilgúr |
nm |
- |
diatomite |
kísilhrúđur |
nn |
- |
silica deposit(s) from a hot spring |
kleif |
nf |
kleifar |
very steep slope(s), narrow (steep) passage(s), narrow glen(s) on a mountainside, rock(s), slanted on top |
klepragígur |
nm |
klepragígar |
spatter cone(s), scoria cones |
klepragígaröđ |
nf |
klepragígarađir |
spatter cone row(s), crater row(s); mixed cone row(s) |
klettur |
nm |
klettar |
cliff(s)/crag(s)/rock(s) |
klif |
nn |
klif |
very narrow path(s) or passage(s)/ mountain pass(es), steep rock(s) |
kol |
nn |
kol |
coal (singular: coil in electric motor) |
kornastćrđ |
nf |
kornastćđir |
grain size(s) |
kort (landabréf/landkort/uppdráttur) |
nn |
kort |
map(s) |
krókur |
nm |
krókar |
crook/sharp bend/nook/corner or enclosed area hidden from view in the landscape |
kubbaberg |
nn |
- |
cube-jointed basalt |
kvarter* |
nn |
- |
Quaternary Period |
kviksynđi |
nn |
kviksyndir |
quagmire(s) |
kvikuţró |
nf |
kvikuţrćr |
magma chamber(s) |
kvísl |
nf |
kvíslir |
river(s), tributary(ies) |
|
|||
lag |
nn |
lög |
layer(s), stratum(a) |
lagskipting |
nf |
*** |
stratification |
lághitasvćđi (3) |
nn |
lághitasvćđi (3) |
low-temperature geothermal area(s) (+150o C. at 1 km depth) |
land |
nn |
lönd |
land(s) area(s) |
landabréf (kort/landkort/uppdráttur) |
nn |
landabréf |
map(s) |
landabréfabók |
nf |
landabréfabćkur |
atlas(es) |
landafrćđi |
nf |
- |
geography |
landkort (kort/landabréf/uppdráttur) |
nn |
landkort |
map(s) |
landmćling |
nf |
landmćlingar |
geodetic surveying |
landmótunarfrćđi |
nf |
- |
geomorphology |
landrek |
nn |
- |
continental drift/plate tectonics |
landskjálfti (jarđskjálfti) |
nm |
landskjálftar |
earthquake(s) |
laug (3) |
nf |
laugar |
warm spring(s) |
leir |
nm |
** |
clay |
leira |
nf |
leirur |
a muddy area, periodically flooded, in rivers or along shores of lakes |
leirhver (3) |
nm |
leirhverir (3) |
mudpot, boiling mudpot |
leirsteinn |
nm |
- |
mudstone, siltstone |
lekt |
jnf |
- |
permeability |
leysing |
nf |
leysingar |
ablation |
leysingarvatn |
nn |
- |
meltwater |
lind |
nf |
lindir |
spring(s) |
lindá |
nf |
lindár |
spring-fed river(s) |
lindakalk |
nn |
- |
travertine |
líparít* (ljósgrýti) |
nn |
líparít* |
rhyolite |
ljósgrýti (líparít*) |
nn |
ljósgrýtí |
rhyolite |
ljósgrýtistúff* |
nn |
ljósgrýtistúff* |
rhyolitic tuff(s) |
loftslag |
nn |
- |
climate |
loftsteinn |
nm |
loftsteinar |
meteorite(s) |
lón |
nn |
lón |
lagoon(s), inlet(s) |
lónavatn (hóp) |
nn |
lónavötn |
land-locked inlet(s) still influenced by tides |
lćkur |
nm |
lćkir |
brook(s) |
|
|||
malarás |
nm |
malarásar |
esker(s) |
málmgrýti |
nn |
- |
ore |
megineldstöđ |
nf |
megineldstöđvar |
central volcano(es) |
melur |
nm |
melar |
gravel(s) |
miđlífsöld |
nf |
- |
Mesozoic Era |
misgengi |
nn |
misgengi |
fault(s) |
misgengisstallur |
nm |
misgengisstallar |
fault scarp(s) |
mislćgi |
nn |
mislćgi |
unconformity(ies) |
móberg |
nn |
- |
tuff(s)/hyaloclastite(s), palagonite(s) |
- |
nf |
móbergsbreksíur |
hyaloclastite breccia |
móbergshryggur |
nm |
móbergshryggir |
hyaloclastite/palagonite ridges(s) |
móbergsmyndun |
nf |
móbergsmyndanir |
palagonite formation(s) |
móbergsset |
nn |
móbergsset |
tuffaceous sediment(s) |
móbergsstapi (stapi) |
nm |
móbergsstapar |
table mountain(s) |
móbergsţursi |
nm |
- |
palagonitic breccia |
múli |
nm |
múlar |
low, rounded mountain(s), headland(s) |
myndbreyting |
nf |
myndbreytingar |
metamorphism |
myndbreytt berg |
an+nn |
mydnbreytt berg |
metamorphic rock(s) |
myndun (jarđmyndun) |
nf |
myndanir |
geologic formation(s) |
mynni |
nn |
mynni |
mouth(s), outlet(s) |
mýri |
nf |
mýrar |
bog(s), mire(s) |
mćlikvarđi |
nm |
mćlikvarđar |
scale(s) |
möl |
nf |
- |
gravel(s), pebble(s) |
|
|||
náma |
nf |
námur |
quarry(ies), pit(s), mine(s) |
náttúrlegt umhverfi |
an +nn |
natturleg umhverfi |
natural environment(s) |
nes (skagi) |
nn |
nes |
peninsula(s), headland(s), point(s), cape(s) |
norđur1 |
nn/ad |
- |
north |
núpur (hnjúkur/gnúpur) |
nm |
núpar |
peak(s) |
nútími (eftir ísöld) |
nm |
- |
Holocene or Recent Epoch |
|
|||
nyrđri1 |
a |
- |
northern |
nýlífsöld |
nf |
- |
Cenozoic Era |
|
|||
oddi |
nm |
oddar |
promontory(ies), point(s), tongue(s) of land |
ós |
nm |
ósar |
mouth(s) of a riverstuary(ies) |
óseyri |
nf |
óseyrar |
delta(s) |
|
|||
perlusteinn |
nm |
- |
perlite |
|
|||
rafsegulmćling |
nf |
rafsegulmćlingar |
electromagnetic survey(s) |
rauđur4 |
am |
rauđir4 |
red |
rekbelti |
nn |
rekbelti |
rift zone(s) |
rétt segulmögnun |
an+nn |
- |
normal polarity |
reykur |
nm |
reykir |
smoke, steam |
rif |
nn |
rif |
reef(s), bank(s) |
rishryggur |
nm |
rishryggir |
horst(s) |
rof |
nn |
rof |
denudation |
rofabarđ |
nn |
rofabörđ |
soil patch(es) |
rúst |
nf |
rústir |
palsa(en), ruin(s) |
rönd á |
nf+p |
randir/rendur |
medial moraine(s) |
röst |
nf |
rastir |
strong ocean (tidal) current(s) |
|
|||
samhverfa |
nf |
samhverfur |
syncline(s) |
samhverfuás |
nm |
samhverfuásar |
synclinal axis(es) |
samsćtuhlutfall |
nn |
samsćtuhlutföll |
isotopic ratio(s) |
sandalda |
nf |
sandöldur |
dune(s) |
sandsteinn |
nm |
- |
sandstone |
sandur |
nm |
sandar (aurar) |
sand, area(s) of sand, glacial outwash plain(s) |
segulmagn |
nn |
- |
magnetic polarity |
segulmćling |
nf |
segulmćlingar |
geomagnetic survey(s) |
set |
nn |
set |
sediment(s) |
setberg |
nn |
- |
sedimentary rocks |
setlag |
nn |
setlög |
sedimentary deposit(s), clastic sediment(s) |
setmyndun |
nf |
setmyndanir |
sedimentation |
sífreri |
nm |
- |
permafrost |
sigdalur/sigdćld |
nf |
sigdalir/sigdćldir |
graben(s) |
siggengi |
nn |
siggengi |
normal fault(s) |
sigketill |
nm |
sigkatlar |
collapse cauldron(s) on a glacier or a volcano |
sjávarrof |
nn |
- |
wave abrasion or erosion |
sjór (haf) |
nm |
sjóir |
sea(s), ocean(s), seawater, waves or breakers [sjóir (large waves)] |
skagi (nes) |
nm |
skagar |
peninsula(s); headland(s), cape(s) |
skarđ |
nn |
skörđ |
mountain pass(es) |
skálarjökull |
nm |
skálarjöklar |
cirque glacier(s) |
sker |
nn |
sker |
skerry(ies) |
- |
nn |
skil |
geologic contact(s) |
skjálftamiđja |
nf |
skjálftamiđjur |
epicenter(s) |
** |
nf |
skjálftaupptök |
hypocenter |
skjálftavirkni |
nf |
- |
seismicity |
skógur |
nm |
skógar |
wood(s), forest(s) |
skriđjökull |
nm |
skriđjöklar |
outlet glacier(s), valley glacier(s) |
skriđuhlaup (bergskriđ/berghlaup) |
nn |
skriđuhlaup |
rock avalanche(s) |
skriđa (hrunskriđa) |
nm |
skriđur |
talus |
skriđukeila |
nf |
skriđukeilur |
alluvial cone(s) |
slétta |
nf |
sléttur |
plain(s), field(s), an area of level ground |
snefilefni |
nn+ |
snefilefni |
trace element distribution(s) |
sniđgengi |
nn |
sniđgengi |
strike-slip fault(s) |
snjóflóđ (skjóskriđa) |
nn |
snjóflóđ |
snow avalanche(s) |
snjór (8) |
nm |
snjóar (8) |
snow/lots of snow, layers of snow, snowfall(s) |
snjóskriđa (snjoflód) |
nf |
snjóskriđur |
snow avalanche(s) |
snćlína |
nf |
snćlínur |
snow line(s) |
snćr (8) |
nm |
- |
snow |
sprengigígaröđ (öskugíraröđ) |
nm |
sprengígarađir |
tephra ring row(s) |
sprengigígur (ker) |
nm |
sprengigígar |
maar(s) |
sprengigjá |
nf |
sprengigjár |
explosion fissure(s), maar row(s) |
explosion chasm(s)sprunga |
nf |
sprungur |
fissure(s), crack(s), fracture(s) |
stađur |
nm |
stađir |
place(s), spot(s) |
stapi (móbergsstapi) |
nm |
stapar |
rocky hill(s), bluff(s), table mountain(s) |
steinafrćđi |
nf |
- |
mineralogy |
steingervingafrćđi |
nf |
- |
paleontology |
steingervingur |
nm |
steingervingar |
fossil(s) |
steinn (berg) |
nm |
steinar |
stone(s), rock(s) |
steind |
nf |
steindir |
mineral(s) |
steintegund |
nf |
steintegundir |
rock type(s) |
stórgrýti |
nn |
stórgrýti |
large rock(s), boulder(s) |
storkuberg |
nn |
storkuberg |
igneous rock(s) |
strandlína |
nf |
strandlínur |
raised beach(es), coastline(s), terrace(s) |
strik (jarđlagastrik) |
nn |
strik |
geologic strike |
strönd (fjara) |
nf |
strendur/strandir |
coast(s), shore(s), beache(es), strand(s) |
stöđ |
nf |
stöđvar |
station(s) |
stöđug samsćta |
af+ |
stöđugar |
stable isotopes |
suđa |
nf |
suđur |
boiling(s); suđur is infrequently used |
suđur (1) |
nn/ad |
- |
south |
súr(4) |
am |
súrir(4) |
acidic (more than 65 percent SiO2) rocks (also applies to pH of liquids) |
surtarbrandur (brúnkol) |
nm |
- |
lignite |
svartur (4) |
am |
svartir (4) |
black |
sveit |
nf |
sveitir |
countryside, rural district(s) |
svćđi |
nn |
svćđi |
area(s), place(s), region(s), tract(s) of land |
svörfun |
nf |
- |
erosion |
syđri (1) |
a |
- |
southern |
sýsla |
nf |
sýslur |
county(ies) |
sćluhús |
nn |
sćluhús |
hut(s), emergency hut(s) |
|
|||
tangi |
nm |
tangar |
narrow peninsula(s), promontory(ies), point(s) of land |
tertíer* |
nn |
- |
Tertiary Period |
tímabil |
nn |
tímabil |
period(s) |
tindur |
nm |
tindar |
pinnacle(s), summit(s) |
tjörn |
nf |
tjarnir |
small lake(s); pond(s); pool(s); tarn(s) |
tunga |
nf |
tungur |
tongue(s) of land usually between several rivers |
tún |
nn |
tún |
fertilized farm field(s) |
|
|||
undir jökli |
p+nm |
undir jöklum |
subglacial, beneath glaciers |
uppblástur (vindrof) |
nm |
- |
denudation, wind erosion |
uppdráttur (kort/landkort/landabréf) |
nm |
uppdrćttir |
map(s) |
upphafsöld |
nf |
- |
Archeozoic Era |
útkulnađur4 |
am |
útkulnađir4 |
inactive, extinct |
|
|||
vađ |
nn |
vöđ |
ford(s) |
varđa |
nf |
vörđur |
cairn(s) |
vatn |
nn |
vötn |
lake(s)/water |
vatnafrćđi |
nf |
- |
hydrology |
vatnaset |
nn |
vatnaset |
alluvium |
vatnaskil |
nn |
vatnaskil |
water divide(s) |
vatnasviđ |
nn |
vatnasviđ |
drainage basin(s) |
vatnsgildi |
nn+ |
- |
water equivalent of snow |
vatnshver (3) |
nm |
vatnshverir (3) |
hot spring(s) |
veđrun |
nf |
|
weathering |
veđur |
nn |
|
weather |
vegur |
nm |
vegir |
road(s), path(s), way(s), route(s) |
ver |
nn |
ver |
wet area(s), highland bog(s), nesting area(s), fishing station(s)
or place(s) |
vestur (1) |
nn/ad |
|
western |
viđnámsmćling |
nf |
viđsnámsmćlingar |
electrical resistance measurement(s)/survey(s) |
vikur (aska/gosmöl/gjóska/gosaska) |
nn |
vikrar |
pumice, lapilli, pumice flats or pumice-covered area(s) |
vík |
nf |
víkur |
bay(s), cove(s), creek(s) |
vindrof (uppblástur) |
nn |
vindrof |
deflation |
virkur4 |
am |
virkir4 |
active |
viti |
nm |
vitar |
lighthouse(s) |
víti |
nn |
víti |
hell / also used for explosive volcanic craters or maars |
vogur |
nm |
vogar |
inlet(s), cove(s), creek(s) |
volgra (3) |
nf |
volgrur (3) |
lukewarm spring(s) |
völlur |
nm |
vellir |
field(s), plain(s) |
völuberg |
nn |
|
conglomerate |
|
|||
yfirborđslag |
nn |
yfirborđslög |
surficial layer(s) |
yfirborđsvatn |
nn |
|
surface water |
ytri (5) |
am |
ytri (5) |
outer |
ytri (5) |
af |
ytri (5) |
outer |
ytra (5) |
an |
ytru (5) |
outer |
|
|||
ţelaurđ |
nf |
ţelaurđir |
rock glacier(s) |
ţing |
nn |
ţing |
meeting(s), parliament(s) |
ţorp |
nn |
ţorp |
village(s) |
ţúfa |
nf |
ţúfur |
frost mound(s), small hillock(s), mound(s), knoll(s) |
ţursaberg |
nn |
ţursaberg |
breccia |
ţyngdarafl jarđar |
nn+nf |
|
gravity |
ţyngdarmćling |
nf |
ţyngdarmćlingar |
gravity survey(s) |
|
|||
öfugt segulmagn |
an+nn |
- |
reverse polarity |
ölkelda |
nf |
ölkeldur |
cold, carbon dioxide spring(s) |
- |
nm |
örćfi |
wasteland, desert, wilderness |
öskufall |
nn |
- |
tephra fall |
öskugígaröđ (sprengigígaröđ) |
nf |
öskugígarađir |
tephra ring row(s) |
öskulagatímatal |
nn |
öskulagatímatöl |
tephrochronology(ies) |
öskugígur (hverfjall) |
nm |
öskugígar |
tephra ring(s) |
öxi (9) |
nf |
axir (9) |
axe(s) |
Glossary Notes
1. Austur (east), vestur (west), norđur (north), and suđur (south) can be nouns (neuter) as well as adverbs; it all depends on the context in which they are used. As in English, the above adverbial form is the positive one; they also exist as adjectives in the comparative and superlative forms:
Positive (Adv.) Comparative (Adj.) Superlative (Adj.)
austur eystri or austari austastur
vestur vestri or vestari vestastur
norđur nyrđri or norđari nyrstur
suđur syđri syđstur
2. Gos is also used in the vernacular as an abbreviation for gosdrykkur, the Icelandic word for soda pop or a soft drink.
3. Geothermal activity in Iceland is divided into two types of areas on the basis of water temperature at a depth of 1 kilometer: (1) háhitasvćđi (high-temperature areas (+200oC)) which have leirhverir or brennissteinshverir (solfataras), gufuhverir (fumeroles), goshverir (geysers), etc.; and lághitasvćđi (low-temperature areas (+150oC)) which have a variety of types of vatnshverir (springs), such as hverir (hot springs; >70oC), laugar (warm springs; 30oC-70oC), and volgrur (lukewarm springs; <30oC). The distinction between hver and laug is not based solely on the water temperature; it varies throughout Iceland, depending on what is considered to be “warm” or “hot” in each district.
4. Adjectives usually have different forms in the singular and plural of masculine, feminine, and neuter grammatical genders; for example, the word green:
Singular Plural
masculine grćnn grćnir
feminine grćn grćnar
neuter grćnt grćn
5. Inner in Icelandic only exists as comparative (innri) and superlative (innstur) adjectives; the same holds true for outer, with ytri the comparative and ystur the superlative form of the adjective.
6. Ís is also used in the vernacular as the Icelandic word for ice cream; in the plural (ísar) it means ice cream cones, but it can also mean ice from a meteorological standpoint.
7. Deglaciation can also be expressed as eyđing jökla.
8. Snjór (snow) is a masculine noun which has very irregular declensions, including multiple spelling variations within the singular cases:
singular: nominative snjór, snćr, snjár
accusative snjó, snć, snjá
dative snjó, snć (vi), snjá (vi)
genitive snjós/snjóar, snćvar, snjávar, snjóvar
plural: nominative snjóar
accusative snjóa
dative snjóum
genitive snjóa
9. Axar (ax) is the form of the genitive case or declension; for example, Axarfjörđur.
Glossary sources
The Icelandic-English Glossary of Selected Geoscience Terms was derived from a variety of publications. In addition, I would like to give special acknowledgement to fifteen Icelandic geoscientists who critically reviewed the glossary and accompanying text and who also recommended terms for inclusion in the glossary: Helgi Björnsson, geophysicist (glaciology) and Professor, University of Oslo (Norway); Páll Einarsson, geophysicist (seismology); and Leó Kristjánsson, geophysicist (geomagnetism) - Science Institute, University of Iceland; Gylfi Már Guđbergsson, geographer (land use/botany); and Sigurđur Steinţórsson, geologist (petrology), all professors in the Department of Geosciences, University of Iceland; Karl Grönvold, geologist (petrology); and Guđrun Larsen, geologist (tephrochronology) - Nordic Volcanological Institute, University of Iceland; Haukur Tómasson, geologist (regional geology) - Icelandic Museum of Natural History; the late Sigurjón Rist, hydrologist (surface water/glaciology); Jón Jónsson, geologist (regional geology); Kristján Sćmundsson, geologist (regional geology); Guđmundur Pálmason, geophysicist (heat flow); Oddur Sigurđsson, glaciologist; and Helgi Torfason, geologist (regional geology) - Icelandic Natural Energy Authority; Jón Benjamínsson, geologist - Icelandic National Center for Hygiene, Food Quality, and Environmental Protection; and and Haraldur Sigurđsson, geologist (volcanology/marine geology) - School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island; and the late U.S. Icelandic language scholar, John G. Allee, Jr., Professor Emeritus, Department of English, George Washington University. I am especially grateful to my very good friend and colleague, Gylfi Már Guđbergsson, for his superb comprehensive (and educational) review of the glossary and for his extraordinary patience in trying, for nearly three decades, to teach me the fascinating idiosyncracies of the Icelandic language.
The following were the principal published sources used to compile the glossary:
Armstrong, T.E., Roberts, B.B., and Swithinbank, C.W.M., 1973, Illustrated glossary of snow and ice: Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, 60 p.
Arngrímur Sigurđsson, 1975, Íslensk-ensk orđabók: Prentsmiđjan Leiftur, Reykjavík, 942 p.
Árni Böđvarsson, editor, 1985, Íslensk orđabók (handa skólum og almenningi): Bókaútgáfa Menningarsjóđs, Reykjavík, 1263 p.
Barth, T.F.W., 1950, Volcanic geology, hot springs, and geysers of Iceland: Carnegie Institution of Washington, Publication 587, Washington, D.C., 175 p.
Einar B. Pálsson, editor, 1983, Orđanefnd byggingarverkfrćđinga: Orđasafn um fráveitur [Section 1]: Tímarit Verkfrćđingafélags Íslands, v. 68, no. 6, p. 98-101.
Einar B. Pálsson, editor, 1984, Orđanefnd byggingarverkfrćđinga: Orđasafn um fráveitur [Sections 2 and 3]: Tímarit Verkfrćđingafélags Íslands, v. 69, no. 2-4, p. 5-8.
Escritt, Tony, 1985, Iceland. A handbook for expeditions: London, the Iceland Information Centre, Ltd., 243 p.
Gylfi Már Guđbergsson, 1984, Landafrćđi: 1 hefti, Almenn landafrćđi Ísland, Námsgagnastofnun, Reykjavík, 160 p.
Hálfdánarson, Örlygur, 1981, Iceland road guide: Örn og Örlygur hf., Travel Books, third edition, Reykjavík, 440 p.
Haukur Jóhannesson, 1980, Jarđlagaskipan og ţróun rekbelta á Vesturlandi: Náttúrufrćđingurinn, v. 50, no. 1, p. 13-31.
Ingibjörg Kaldal and Skúli Víkingsson, 1979, Jökulsár í Skagafirđi; II, jarđgrunnskort: Orkustofnun, Raforkudeild Report No. OS79044/ROD16, October, Reykjavík, 3 sheets; scale, 1:50, 000.
Jóhannesson, Haukur, Jakobsson, Sveinn P., and Sćmundsson, Kristján, compilers, 1982, South Iceland: Sheet 6 in the Geological Map of Iceland series; scale, 1:250, 000, Icelandic Museum of Natural History-Iceland Geodetic Survey, Reykjavík.
Jón Benjamínsson, 1992, Orđaskrá í jarđfrćđi og skyldum greinum: Reykjavík, útgefandi, Jón Benjamínsson, 191 p.
Jón Eyţórsson, 1963, Orđasafn (Helztu heiti á ís og snjó á landi): Jökull, v. 13, p. 24-28.
Jón Eyţórsson, 1964, Orđasafn (Helztu heiti á hafísum): Jökull, v. 14, p. 90-94.
Kidson, Peter, 1966, Iceland. A traveller's guide: Ferđahandbćkur s/f, Reykjavík, 216 p.
Kidson, Peter, 1971, Iceland in a nutshell. Complete reference guide: Iceland Travel Books, Reykjavík, 240 p.
Kjartansson, Guđmundur, compiler, 1960, South-West Iceland: Sheet 3 in the Geological Map of Iceland series; scale, 1:250, 000, Museum of Natural History, Department of Geology and Geography; Distributed by the Iceland Geodetic Survey, Reykjavík.
Landmćlingar Íslands, n. d. (1980?), Vogar, Iceland-Ísland: Fjórđungsblöđin series, Sheet No. 1512-I; scale, 1:50, 000. Also published by the U.S. Defense Mapping Agency's Hydrographic/Topographic Center in A.M.S. Series C761.
Preusser, Hubertus, 1976, The landscapes of Iceland: Types and regions: Dr. W. Junk
b. v., Publishers, The Hague, 363 p.
Rannsóknastofnun landbúnađarins, 1968, Hafnir, Gullbringusýsla: Sheet 75 in the Vegetation Map of Iceland series; scale, 1:40, 000, Agricultural Research Institute- Iceland Geodetic Survey, Reykjavík.
Schutzbach, Werner, 1976, Island. Feuerinsel am Polarkreis: Ferdinand Dümmlers Verlag, Bonn, 269 p.
Schutzbach, Werner, 1985, Island. Feuerinsel am Polarkreis: second edition, Ferdinand Dümmlers Verlag, Bonn, 272 p.
Sigbjarnarson, Guttormur, Albertsson, Kristinn, and Einarsson, Kristinn, n. d., Geological Map of Krepputunga og Brúardalir: National Energy Authority, Electrical Power Division; scale, 1:83, 333. Reykjavík.
Sigurđur Örn Bogason, 1972, Ensk-íslenzk orđabók: Ísafoldarprentsmiđja hf., Reykjavík, 862 p.
Sćmundsson, Kristján, compiler, 1977, North East Iceland: Sheet 7 in the Geological Map of Iceland series; scale, 1:250, 000, Museum of Natuaral History-Iceland Geodetic Survey, Reykjavík.
Sören Sörenson, 1984, Ensk-íslensk orđabók (međ alfrćđilegu ívafi): Örn og Örlygur hf., Reykjavík, 1241 p.
Thorarinsson, Sigurđur, and Sćmundsson, Kristján, 1980, Volcanic activity in historial time: Jökull, v. 29 (1979), p. 29-32.
Thorarinsson, Sigurđur, editor, Einarsson, Trausti, and Kjartansson, Gudmundur, 1959, On the geology and geomorphology of Iceland: Geografiska Annaler, v. 41, no. 2-3, p. 135-169.
Tómas Tryggvason and Jón Jónsson, 1958, Jarđfrćđikort af nágrenni Reykjavíkur: Iđnađardeildar Atvinnudeildar Háskólans og Skrifstofu bćjarverkfrćđings; scale, 1:40, 000, Reykjavík.
Wood, C. A., Whitford-Stark, J. L., and Head, J.W., compilers, n. d., Iceland field itinerary: Basaltic Volcanism Study Project, Team 5, Distribution and Morphology of Basalt Deposits on Planets; Planetary Geology Group, Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Lunar Science Institute, 55 p.
Ţórhallur Vilmundarson, editor, 1980, Grímnir (Rit um nafnfrćđi): Örnefnastofnun Ţjóđminjasafns, Reykjavík, v. 1, 143 p.
Ţórhallur Vilmundarson, editor, 1983, Grímnir (Rit um nafnfrćđi): Örnefnastofnun Ţjóđminjasafns, Reykjavík, v. 2, 144 p.
Ţorleifur Einarsson, 1968, Jarđfrćđi. Saga bergs og lands: Mál og menning, Reykjavík, 335 p.
Ţorleifur Einarsson, 1973, Jarđfrćđi: Heimskringla, Reykjavík, 254 p.
Ţorsteinn Jósepsson and Steindór Steindórsson, 1981, Landiđ ţitt. Ísland: v. 2 (H-K), Örn og Örlygur hf., Reykjavík, 288 p.
Ţorsteinn Jósepsson and Steindór Steindórsson, 1983, Landiđ ţitt. Ísland: v. 4 (S-T), Örn og Örlygur hf., Reykjavík, 280 p.
Ţorsteinn Jósepsson and Steindór Steindórsson, 1984, Landiđ ţitt. Ísland: v. 1 (A-G), Örn og Örlygur hf., Reykjavík, 278 p.
Ţorsteinn Jósepsson, Steindór Steindórsson, and Páll Líndal, 1982, Landiđ ţitt. Ísland: v. 3 (L-R), Örn og Örlygur hf., Reykjavík, 340 p.
Ţorsteinn Jósepsson, Steindór Steindórsson, Björn Ţorsteinsson, og Guđjón Ármann Eyjólfsson, 1984, Landiđ ţitt. Ísland: v. 5 (U-O), Örn og Örlygur hf., Reykjavík, 271 p.
Ţorsteinn Jósepsson, Steindór Steindórsson, and Einar Laxness, 1985, Landiđ ţitt. Ísland: Lykilbók, Örn og Örlygur hf., Reykjavík, 416 p.
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S.
Geological Survey
URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/of95-807/geoicelandic.html
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