The volcanic system is located north of Lake Thingvallavatn and its southern lava flows contribute to the floor of the Þingvellir rift valley central to Icelandic cultural history and the fissure system which is up to 20 km (12 mi) wide extends up to 100 km (62 mi) north.

The highest point within the Langjökull icecap is to its north east where the Baldjökull part of the ice cap covers a tuya of the same name with a height of 1,435 metres (4,708 ft).

[1] The geothermal area of Hveravellir with hot springs, fumaroles and mud pools is to the north east of the central volcano in the northern part of the fissure swarm which is dominated by Kjalhraun at 840 metres (2,760 ft).

A large tuya and composite volcano[2] Hrútfell with a height of 1,396 m (4,580 ft) is located between Baldjökull and Kerlingarfjöll at the southern end of the Kjölur plateau between the two volcanic systems which is reached by the Kjalvegur road (F35).

[9][10][11] The 7800 years BP Kjalhraun flow to the north-east has a similar area but covers only 11 km3 (2.6 cu mi) with its eastern portion broken up by faulting from the Hofsjökull volcanic system.