Askja volcanic caldera, Iceland Highlands

🌋 Eldur og ís

Iceland's
Volcanoes

Iceland has 130+ volcanoes and around 30 active volcanic systems. From world-famous Eyjafjallajökull to the legendary Hekla — Iceland's volcanoes are among the most powerful on Earth.

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130+

Total volcanoes

Active systems

20+

Hekla eruptions

112

Emergency number

Eldfjallavaldur Íslands

Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where tectonic plates diverge, creating one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth. Around 30 volcanic systems are considered active, producing eruptions approximately every 3–4 years on average. Volcanic activity shapes Iceland's landscape — from black sand beaches created by explosive eruptions to vast lava fields that cover large parts of the country.

The country is home to more than 130 volcanoes and around 30 active volcanic systems. These volcanoes have created Iceland's dramatic landscapes — vast lava fields, black sand deserts, geothermal areas, and glacial valleys carved by volcanic floods.

Many of Iceland's most famous volcanoes are subglacial — hidden beneath massive glaciers like Vatnajökull and Mýrdalsjökull. When these volcanoes erupt, they melt enormous volumes of ice, creating sudden catastrophic floods called jökulhlaups.

Eruptions in Iceland can affect the entire world. The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption disrupted European air travel for weeks, while the 1783 Laki eruption caused famines and crop failures across Europe.

highlands

Torfajökull, Askja Caldera & Víti Crater Lake, Laki

reykjanes

Sundhnúkur eruption 2023, Grindavík & Sunken Road, Stampar Crater

south-iceland

Kerið Crater Lake, Rauðaskál, Helgafell

north-iceland

Krafla Volcano & Víti Crater, Skútustaðagígar, Hverfjall Volcanic Crater

Iceland's Volcanoes

Frægustu eldfjöll Íslands

Ítarleg handbók um stórkostlegustu eldstöðvakerfi Íslands — með sögu, aðgengi og öryggisupplýsingum

Fire and Ice: Subglacial Volcanoes

Many of Iceland's most powerful volcanoes lie hidden beneath massive glaciers. When these volcanoes erupt, they melt enormous quantities of ice, creating catastrophic glacial floods called jökulhlaups that rush towards the sea. Katla, Grímsvötn, and Bárðarbunga are examples of dangerous subglacial volcanoes that produce both explosive eruptions and devastating floods.

Recent Eruptions and Volcanic Tourism

Iceland has experienced several major eruptions in recent decades. The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption disrupted air travel across Europe. The 2021–2023 Fagradalsfjall eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula attracted thousands of visitors to witness glowing lava flows up close. These accessible eruptions created a new form of volcanic tourism, allowing people to safely hike to active lava fields.

Best Time to Visit Volcanic Sites

Year-round access is available to most coastal volcanic sites like Eyjafjallajökull, Hekla (from a distance), and Krafla. Highland volcanoes like Askja, Laki, and Bárðarbunga are only accessible in summer (July–September) when F-roads open. Active eruptions can occur at any time — check safetravel.is for current volcanic activity and safety warnings before visiting any volcanic area.

2010 Eruption

South Iceland

Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

The Volcano that Stopped Europe

Eyjafjallajökull became world famous after its massive eruption in April 2010 disrupted air travel across Europe for weeks, stranding millions of passengers. The name means "Island Mountain Glacier" — the volcano is covered by an ice cap and sits on Iceland's South Coast. Despite the global disruption, the volcano is relatively small by Icelandic standards. The glacier and black sand landscapes surrounding it are now accessible via super jeep tours and hiking.

Access: Visible from the Ring Road near Skógar. Super jeep glacier tours run from nearby farms. Combine with visits to Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls.

Skoða upplýsingar → South Iceland →

20+ Historical Eruptions

south-iceland

Hekla

One of Iceland's Most Active Volcanoes

Hekla is one of Iceland's best-known and most frequently active volcanoes in historical time. The 1,491-metre volcanic ridge dominates large parts of the South Iceland skyline.

Access: Visible from Route 26. Hiking to the crater requires experience and proper equipment — the volcano can erupt with minimal warning. Guided tours available from Reykjavík.

Skoða upplýsingar → south-iceland →

Massive Jökulhlaup Floods

south-iceland

Katla

Iceland's Most Powerful Subglacial Volcano

Katla is an active subglacial volcano beneath Mýrdalsjökull in South Iceland. Eruptions beneath the ice can melt large volumes of glacier ice and generate jökulhlaups across the surrounding lowlands.

Access: The volcano itself is not accessible, but you can see Mýrdalsjökull glacier from Vík and the South Coast. Katla ice cave tours explore beneath the glacier in winter.

Skoða upplýsingar → south-iceland →

Literary Fame

Snæfellsnes

Snæfellsjökull Volcano

Jules Verne's Gateway to the Center of the Earth

Snæfellsjökull is a glacier-covered stratovolcano located at the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The volcano became world famous as the entry point in Jules Verne's novel "Journey to the Center of the Earth". On clear days, the peak is visible from Reykjavík, over 120km away. The volcano lies within Snæfellsjökull National Park and is considered one of the most mystical places in Iceland.

Access: Drive to the end of Route 574 for the closest access. Glacier hiking and summit tours available in summer. Combine with the full Snæfellsnes Peninsula circular route.

Skoða upplýsingar → Snæfellsnes →

Highland Caldera

north-iceland

Askja Caldera

Remote Highland Caldera Lake

Askja Caldera is a remarkable volcanic wonder in North Iceland. This dramatic landscape was shaped by powerful volcanic forces over thousands of years. Visitors can witness the raw geological power of Iceland's volcanic heritage through dramatic lava fields, craters and unique rock formations.

Access: Only accessible in summer (late June–early September) via F-roads requiring 4WD. Most visitors take guided super jeep tours from Akureyri or Mývatn. Swimming in Víti crater lake is allowed but cold — bring a towel.

Skoða upplýsingar → north-iceland →

Geothermal Activity

north-iceland

Krafla

North Iceland Volcanic Wonderland

Krafla is an active volcanic system northeast of Lake Mývatn, known for the 1975–1984 Krafla Fires, the Víti explosion crater and the young lava fields around Leirhnjúkur. The landscape combines rift fractures, steaming ground, crater lakes and lava flows, offering a clear view of the tectonic and volcanic forces shaping North Iceland.

Access: Combine Víti with Leirhnjúkur, but check weather and local access conditions before walking the exposed volcanic terrain.

Skoða upplýsingar → north-iceland →

2014–2015 Eruption

highlands

Bárðarbunga

Iceland's Largest Volcanic System

Hidden beneath the vast, serene expanse of Vatnajökull glacier, Bárðarbunga is one of Iceland's most formidable subglacial volcanoes. This active giant, seen as a subtle swell in the immense ice sheet from above, embodies the raw, untamed geological power that shapes this unique island nation.

Access: The Holuhraun lava field is only accessible by super jeep or helicopter tour in summer. The area is remote and still volcanically active — independent access is not recommended.

Skoða upplýsingar → highlands →

2021–2023 Eruptions

reykjanes

Fagradalsfjall

The Accessible Lava Show

Fagradalsfjall is the volcanic mountain on the Reykjanes Peninsula that became world-famous after erupting in March 2021 — the first eruption in the area in nearly 800 years. Subsequent eruptions in 2022 and 2023 drew hundreds of thousands of visitors to witness flowing lava in an accessible, road-reachable location. The solidified lava fields now form a dramatic new lunar landscape just 40 km from Reykjavík.

Access: Located near Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 40 minutes from Reykjavík. Check safetravel.is for current volcanic activity warnings before hiking. The crater area remains hot for years after eruptions.

Skoða upplýsingar → reykjanes →

Most Active Volcano

highlands

Grímsvötn

Iceland's Most Frequently Erupting Volcano

Grímsvötn is Iceland's most active volcanic system, dramatically situated beneath the vast Vatnajökull ice cap. This basaltic central volcano is a powerful testament to Iceland's raw geological forces, often shrouded in the clouds and snow seen across its immense, frozen landscape.

Access: Not accessible to tourists — the volcano lies deep beneath Vatnajökull glacier. However, its eruptions can be seen as ash plumes from the South Coast or Highlands when active.

Skoða upplýsingar → highlands →

1783 Historic Eruption

highlands

Laki

The Eruption that Changed the World

Laki is a 818-metre palagonite mountain standing roughly in the middle of the Lakagígar crater row in Vatnajökull National Park. A marked trail climbs from the Laki parking area to broad views along the 29-kilometre crater system.

Reykjanes Peninsula

Helgafell

South Iceland

Stóra Grábrók

West Iceland

Laki

Skútustaðagígar

North Iceland