Holuhraun lava field formally named Holuhraun

The Skútustaðahreppur county authority has decided that the Holuhraun lava field, sometimes named Nornahraun,  formed in last year's eruption will now formerly receive the name Holuhraun. Four other names had been suggested. 

According to the chairman of the district council, Yngvi Ragnar Kristjánsson, the matter had taken a long time in the system but that this was the final conclusion. The district council was acting in accordance to new laws on placenames. 

The other names suggested for the lavafield were Holuhraun, Flæðahraun, Nornahraun and Urðarbruni. Noone apparently liked the name Nornahraun (witches lava) and most preferred Holuhraun but there had been considerable discussions in the committee before reaching the final verdict. 

The name Nornahraun meaning "Witches lava" was proposed at the Institute of Earth Sciences website by Thor Thordarson in October 2014 and has appeared in official communiques on the Icelandic Met Office website. The eruption has produced an abundance of wind spun thread like lava extrusions known as Pele's hair which in Icelandic are known as Nornahár or Witches hair.

The eruption in Holuhraun took place from August 31st 2014 to February 29th, 2015.