Discover the Fiery Giants of Iceland: A Comprehensive Guide to its Volcanoes
Imagine a land where the earth breathes fire, where ancient myths and modern marvels intertwine. Iceland’s landscape is one of unparalleled geological wonder. Here, primal forces of nature mark the terrain sculpted by the relentless energy of volcanoes.
The word ‘volcano’ is often synonymous with death, destruction, and mayhem. True, volcanoes around the world have been one of the big natural causes of millions of deaths, famine, and destruction. For instance, when the Laki volcanic fissure erupted in southern Iceland, the disruption that ensued during the 8-month eruption (8 June 1783 to 7 February 1784) spread far beyond Iceland, affecting weather patterns across the world, especially monsoons in Asia.
Dramatic as Iceland’s volcanic activity has been, however, this geographical anatomy also forms a core part of the country’s culture, history, and economy. From the awe-inspiring eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull to the mystical beauty of the volcanic craters dotting the highlands, join us as we delve into the fiery giants that define Iceland.
Stay tuned for an in-depth look at some of Iceland’s most famous and fascinating volcanoes, their recent activities, and the incredible stories they have to tell. And who knows, perhaps your next adventure will lead you to the very edge of one of these magnificent natural wonders.
Latest Volcanic Eruption in Iceland
On the 29th of May, 2024, a new eruption began on the Reykjanes Peninsula northeast of Sýlingarfell. This has been the fifth fissure to erupt in the area since December 2023. Currently, the eruption has ceased with no activity noticed since June 2024. You can check out the latest updates on Iceland’s volcanic activity on Iceland’s Met Office.
Let’s not forget the power of Eyjafjallajökull when it effectively stopped all air traffic in Europe, but these incidents are the rare extremes. Iceland has about 130 volcanoes but only 18 of them have erupted in modern history with only a few ones that erupt regularly with Hekla, Grímsvötn, and Katla erupting most frequently. You can check out Iceland’s 35 Holocene volcanoes on the Smithsonian.
While volcanoes are dormant (even when fully active), they continue to fascinate and draw crowds all over the world as in Iceland. To help you find your way around the Icelandic volcanoes, we have made this volcano guide for you.
Þríhnúkagígur – Music Hall Within A Magma Chamber
Last eruption: 2 BC
The History: This is the only volcano you can enter as it has been dormant since the second century BC. Now you can go on a tour to the bottom of the 213-meter (699 feet) deep Magma chamber.
In 2015, the Icelandic rock band Kaleo went down to the bottom of the volcano to record the music video to the tune “Way Down We Go”
The Science: After Þríhnúkagígur erupted, the magma simply disappeared as though someone had pulled out the plug, leaving a uniquely preserved cavity ready to be explored!
Location: You’ll find this volcano almost straight south of Reykjavík. We do recommend you take one of the organized tours to the bottom as that is the only way to explore the depths of Þríhnjúkagígur.
Hverfell – The Hiker’s Delight
Last eruption: 2,500BP
The History: This is a dormant volcano that is fantastic to visit. There are two ways up to the crater and both are clearly marked. When you go for a hike there (highly recommended), remember to keep on the marked tracks at all times.
The Science: Geological studies suggest that Hverfell was formed in a single explosive event. This rapid formation process contrasts with many other volcanic structures that evolve over multiple eruptions. The sudden and violent nature of its creation provides clues about the volcanic processes beneath the surface.
Location: Just south of Reykjahlíð, the village by Lake Mývatn in North Iceland.
Snæfellsjökull – Verne’s Icy Vista
Last eruption: 200 AD ±150 years
The History: This volcano is the most famous one in the literal sense of the word since it was believed to be the entrance to the center of the world in Jules Verne’s 1864 book, Journey to the Center of the Earth. The last time Snæfellsjökull erupted was “back in the day”, around 200 AD, give or take a hundred years. Its 1446-meter top has always been covered in ice in modern times but in August 2012, the top of the volcano was ice-free for the first time in recorded history.
The volcano/glacier has many fantastic hikes but as always when going hiking, find out how the conditions are and what the weather will be like. Well up on the top, you are rewarded (weather permitting) with the most stunning views in all directions.
The Science: The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, where Snæfellsjökull is located, exhibits anomalous tectonic activity that is not directly aligned with the main rift zones in Iceland. This makes Snæfellsjökull a key site for studying the interplay between tectonics and volcanism in an atypical setting.
Location: It’s 84 kilometers (114.2 miles) from Reykjavík to the road leading up to Snæfellsjökull. The road condition varies between years and many times, ordinary cars can’t drive up here so find out how far you can drive in your Iceland car rental.
Torfajökull – Torfi’s Refuge
Last eruption: 1477
The History: The volcano got its name from a historical figure called Torfi. During the big plague in 1493, Torfi escaped with his family up to the highlands. He settles somewhere close to the volcano. When it erupted around 870, tephra covered the whole country and still can be found all over Iceland. This is also one of those very hard-to-reach places but there are many hike tours to choose from if you want to explore this gorgeous area.
Torfajökull is also believed to be one of the main causes for the existence of the divine area called Veiðivötn which features in our blog “Fishing in Iceland“.
The Science: Torfajökull is a rare example of a volcano that straddles both an active rift zone (where tectonic plates are pulling apart) and a hot spot (where a plume of hot mantle material rises towards the Earth’s surface).
Location: Straight north of Mýrdalsjökull
Öræfajökull – The Glacial Gargantua
Last eruption: 1727
The History: This volcano is under Europe’s biggest glacier with the highest peak, Hvannadalshnjúkur at 2110 meters (6922 feet). It is also the biggest active volcano in Iceland. However, it hasn’t been that active, in fact, it’s only erupted twice in the last 800 years: 1362 and 1728. There has been some increased activity but with these numbers, it is estimated to erupt in 2200 next time.
There are many different organized activities to choose from on Vatnajökull like hiking, snowmobiling, or super jeep tours.
The Science: Öræfajökull is a prime example of a volcano where glacial and volcanic activities intersect, leading to catastrophic jökulhlaups (glacial outburst floods) during eruptions.
Location: Depending on where you will mount the glacier, most people camp or stay in huts south of the glacier (marked as a tent on the map above). There’s a distance of 390 kilometers (242.3 miles) between Reykjavík and the campsite in Vatnajökull national park.
Katla – The Dormant Dynamo
Last eruption: 1918
The History: Another volcano hidden until it erupts under a glacier, Katla lies dormant under Mýrdalsjökull glacier. When Katla erupts (last in 1918), there will be massive floods of glacier water in its wake. Or to repeat the famous words of our former president when Eyjafjallajökull erupted, referring to Katla: “You haven’t seen nothing yet”. Katla erupts in intervals of 13–95 years but it hasn’t erupted violently in a hundred years so we are waiting for the big one. The quote is referring to a very infamous speech the ex president of Iceland made when Eyjafjallajökull erupted, referring to Katla.
The 10-kilometer (32,808 feet) caldera is mostly covered with the Mýrdalsjökull glacier and is between 200 to 700 meters (656 to 2297 feet) wide.
The Science: The ash from Katla’s eruptions is so distinctive that it serves as an important marker in ice cores and sediment layers throughout the Northern Hemisphere. These layers help scientists date other geological events and study past climates, making Katla’s eruptions significant far beyond Iceland.
Location: As Katla is well below the ice, there are numerous tours to choose from. Most of them depart from in and around Vík in Mýrdal. Katla itself is just north of Vík.
Askja – The Highland Harbinger
Last eruption: 1961
The History: This volcano was virtually unknown until a massive eruption in 1875 killed livestock, poisoned the soil in East Iceland, and traveled all the way to northern Europe.
This place is a popular destination for Icelanders but driving there requires big SUVs and is only accessible in high summer and it’s only F-roads up there..
The Science: The desert-like area around Askja is known for its “dust devil” tracks—patterns left in the sand by whirlwinds. These tracks are similar to those found on Mars, providing researchers with a terrestrial analog for studying Martian wind patterns and surface processes.
Location: Askja lies in the central part of the highlands and lies north of Vatnajökull glacier.
Surtsey – An Underwater Genesis
Last eruption: 1963
The History: This eruption took place under the water and created a brand new island called Surtsey, the newest island in the world. The island is totally closed to tourists, only scientists are allowed (as they study life on the island). However, there are boat trips around the island, leaving from Heimaey, Westman islands.
The Science: Scientists estimate that Surtsey could be completely eroded away in a few hundred years, leaving only a small remnant or submerged shoal, unless it erupts anew.
Location: 19 kilometers (11.8) miles southeast of Heimaey. Can be seen from Heimaey in good weather.
Kverkfjöll – Secret Rumblings
Last eruption: 1968
The History: Another volcano hiding under the mighty Vatnajökull glacier. When a volcano hiding under a glacier erupts, it causes glacier runs, at times massive ones, sweeping everything in its path to the ocean.
Again, due to its location, it is only possible to visit the place on a Superjeep tour, a helicopter ride, or a snowmobile tour during winter.
The Science: The region around Kverkfjöll is rich in geological history, with layers of volcanic deposits, glacial sediments, and geothermal features that tell the story of Iceland’s dynamic past. Studying these layers helps scientists understand the long-term interactions between volcanic and glacial processes, as well as the impact of past climate changes on the landscape.
Location: 38 kilometers (23.6 miles) straight east of Bárðarbunga, well under the glacier Vatnajökull.
Eldfell – A Sea/Lava Battle
Last eruption: 1973
The History: This volcano on the Westman Islands created havoc in 1973 when all the islanders were moved up to the mainland. It destroyed around 400 homes and threatened to close the harbor too. A huge effort was made to stop the flowing lava by spraying the lava with an endless amount of seawater, to cool and direct the flow elsewhere, and it was a huge success. The whole eruption is very well documented in their museum on the island.
The Science: The land around Eldfell is still evolving. The loose volcanic ash and tephra from the eruption have been gradually compacting and stabilizing, allowing vegetation to slowly return to the area. The once-barren landscape is now dotted with hardy plants, making it a striking example of ecological succession in a volcanic environment.
Location: It’s located on the east side of the island with easy access via roads. To reach Westman islands, you take a ferry from Landeyarhöfn.
Krafla – Competing Veteran
Last eruption: 1984
The History: There have been 29 eruptions at Krafla in recorded history. Now it’s a very popular tourist destination and thermal energy from the area has been used to make power since 1977. For tourists, there are three great destinations in the area: Leirbotn power station, Víti, a volcanic crater lake with a turquoise color, and Leirhnjúkur lava fields.
The Science: Between 1975 and 1984, Krafla experienced a dramatic series of eruptions and rifting events known as the “Krafla Fires.” These eruptions were part of a larger rifting episode where the Earth’s crust was pulled apart, causing magma to rise to the surface along a series of fissures. This period saw nine volcanic eruptions and the formation of new lava fields, covering an area of about 36 square kilometers (14 square miles)
Location: About 16 kilometers (9.9 miles) northeast of Reykjahlíð, the village by Lake Mývatn in North Iceland.
Hekla – A Hiker’s Hell
Last eruption: 2000
The History: Hekla is one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland. On 26 February 2000, Hekla erupted for the last time, (it was predicted 15 minutes before that it would erupt) and its eruptions have often been very big and violent but in the last few hundred years, they have decreased in power and violence. For many years Hekla was thought to be the gateway to hell but that theory was disproved when two scientists hiked up to the top back in 1750.
It’s 1491 meters (4891 feet) high and is a very popular location for hikers. Before going on a hike on Hekla (at your discretion), visit the Hekla center (see map) to get all the latest news. They will also have information about where to park, trails, and whatever you need for a day on the volcano.
The Science: Unlike many stratovolcanoes, which have a conical shape, Hekla has an elongated ridge that stretches about 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) long. This ridge-like structure is due to the fact that Hekla’s eruptions often occur along a fissure rather than from a single central vent.
Location: It’s a 110-kilometer (63.4 miles) drive to the center from Reykjavík where you will get all the information you need.
Eyjafjallajökull – The Global Disruptor
Last eruption: 2010
The History: After the 2010 eruption, this might be the world’s best-known volcano. Not only because it stopped air traffic but also because news media all around the world failed utterly to try to pronounce the name of the volcano.
Eyjafjallajökull reaches a height of 5,466 feet (1,666 meters). It is not safe to hike on the volcano despite it being covered by an ice cap but one gets a pretty good look at it when hiking the Fimmvörðuháls ridge trail.
The Science: The magma from Eyjafjallajökull is primarily andesitic, which is more viscous than the basaltic magma typically found in Icelandic volcanoes. This higher viscosity contributed to the explosive nature of the 2010 eruption, as it trapped gasses more effectively, leading to more powerful explosions.
Location: Eyjafjallajökull is in south Iceland and a great viewing point that can easily be reached via a rental car (see map). Coming from the west, you’ll reach Hvolsvöllur. Instead of continuing on the Ring Road, take a left to Road 261 and drive about 26 kilometers (16.2 miles). You will arrive at a parking lot that gives you a view of the volcano.
Grímsvötn – The Icy Inferno
Last eruption: 2011
The History: This volcano lies deep under an ice cap and every time it erupts, it melts an incredible amount of water, flooding the plains on the south side of Iceland. It’s in the same volcanic system as Laki (1783-84), the big one that caused famine, death & destruction. It is also the Laki eruption that ignited the French Revolution (see above). Grímsvötn is one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland.
The Science: The geothermal heat flow at Grímsvötn is among the highest in Iceland, and possibly the world. This intense heat has created vast ice caves under the glacier and maintains the subglacial lake. The heat flow also influences the behavior of the ice cap, causing rapid melting and the formation of crevasses.
Location: Almost straight south from Bárðarbunga. Only accessible by Superjeeps or Helicopters.
Bárðarbunga – The Helicopter Hotspot
Last eruption: 2015
The History: When Bárðarbunga in Holuhraun erupted in 2015, it created what is called here as a Tourist eruption. People from all over the world came here to see it erupt. The volcano did release dangerous gasses but those gasses were only hazardous if you were close to the eruption. The only way to visit Bárðarbunga is by helicopter or by a Superjeep tour.
The Science: The entire Bárðarbunga volcanic system is covered by the Vatnajökull glacier, which adds an extra layer of complexity to its eruptions. The interaction between hot magma and ice can lead to explosive eruptions, generating ash clouds and meltwater floods. The glacier also conceals much of the volcanic activity, making it challenging to study but also fascinating for scientists.
Location: Almost in the center of Iceland. Southwest of Askja.
There are many more volcanoes in Iceland but many of them are just dormant and have no activity at all. Most volcanoes are not easily accessed and caution is required at all times. Before going on a hike or trying to drive close to one, get local knowledge but remember, all off-road driving is strictly forbidden and F-roads usually require big 4×4 vehicles to pass safely.
When you are driving around in Iceland, do try to go on a tour of the volcanoes (where permitted) for it is a remarkable experience we are sure will be an unforgettable experience.