reykjavik
Volcano House — Iceland's Volcanic Cinema
About Volcano House — Iceland's Volcanic Cinema
Volcano House opened 2008 as an educational cinema and exhibition centre focusing on Iceland's volcanic activity. Located at Tryggvagata 11 near Tjörnin pond in central Reykjavík. **Films:** - **1973 Vestmannaeyjar Eruption** (20 minutes): On 23 January 1973 a fissure opened on Heimaey island without warning, erupting lava at the edge of the town. 5,000 residents evacuated overnight. Over 5 months the eruption buried 400 buildings and created a new mountain (Eldfell). Original footage shows lava advancing through streets, residents fleeing, firefighters pumping seawater onto lava to slow its advance. - **2010 Eyjafjallajökull Eruption** (20 minutes): The eruption beneath the glacier created massive ash clouds that grounded European air traffic for weeks — 100,000 flights cancelled, 10 million passengers stranded. Footage of the eruption under ice, glacial floods, and ash plumes reaching the stratosphere. **Exhibition:** Displays on Icelandic geology, volcanic systems, eruption types, lava types, tephra (volcanic ash), and Iceland's 30+ active volcanic systems. Interactive displays and eruption photography. Films screen continuously alternating throughout the day. Total runtime ~50 minutes for both films.
🐉 When Lava Came to Town
The 1973 eruption buried a third of Heimaey town — but Icelanders fought back with seawater hoses, cooling the lava to save the harbor. You don't give up your home without a fight.
📖 History of Volcano House — Iceland's Volcanic Cinema
Volcano House opened 2008. The 1973 Vestmannaeyjar eruption lasted 23 January–3 July 1973, created Eldfell mountain, buried 400 buildings. The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption lasted 20 March–23 June 2010, disrupted global air travel, became one of the most-photographed eruptions in history.
💡 Did You Know?
During the 1973 Vestmannaeyjar eruption, Icelanders fought the lava by pumping seawater onto it — cooling and solidifying the advancing flow to save the harbor. It worked.
Key Facts
Shows 2 documentary films on major eruptions
1973 Vestmannaeyjar: town buried in lava
2010 Eyjafjallajökull: European air traffic grounded
Films screen continuously — walk in any time
Total runtime ~50 minutes for both films
💎 Hidden Gems
The 1973 Evacuation Footage
The original footage of 5,000 people evacuating Heimaey overnight — fishing boats ferrying entire families off the island as lava erupts behind them — is genuinely moving.
The Seawater Hose Strategy
The film shows Icelanders pumping seawater onto advancing lava to cool and solidify it — an improvised strategy that actually saved the harbor. Icelandic ingenuity at its finest.
🕐 Best Time
Rainy days or pre-trip orientation
🚗 Access
Tryggvagata 11, near Tjörnin
⏱ Duration
1 hour
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book?▾
No — films screen continuously, walk in any time. Small cinema so peak times (afternoon) may be crowded.
Is it worth it?▾
Yes if you want context on Iceland's volcanic activity — especially before visiting actual eruption sites like Vestmannaeyjar or Reykjanes.
📍 GPS Location
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