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

Askja og Víti, Bláhnjúkur, Bárðarbunga

reykjanes

Dollan, Arnarseturshraun, Eldborg at Höskuldarvellir, Eldvörp Hraunröð

south-iceland

Eldfell, Hekla, Helgafell

north-iceland

Grjótagjá, Krafla Eldstöð og Víti Gígur, Askja Caldera

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.

Volcanic Area

highlands

Askja og Víti

Explore Askja Caldera, a remote highland volcano featuring a massive caldera and the milky-blue Víti Crater Lake.

Ferðastu til Askju og Vítis, framúrskarandi jarðfræðilegs undurs í afskekktum miðhálöndum Íslands. Þessi öfluga hálendiseldstöð státar af risastórri öskju og heillandi, mjólkurbláu jarðhitavatni Vítis, sem eitt sinn var æfingasvæði fyrir geimfara NASA.

Access: Treat Vikraborgir, Víti and Öskjuvatn as one Askja visit. Use the official marked route, check current access before departure and take special care on the slippery descent toward Víti.

Skoða upplýsingar → highlands →

Volcanic Area

south-iceland

Eldfell

The young volcanic cone above Heimaey, created during the 1973 eruption that transformed Vestmannaeyjar.

Eldfell is the volcanic cone created during the 1973 eruption on Heimaey in the Westman Islands. The eruption began beside the town, forced almost the entire population to evacuate and continued for about six months, leaving a new mountain and extensive lava field on the island.

Access: Visit Eldheimar before or after the hike for the clearest context on how the 1973 eruption changed the town and island.

Skoða upplýsingar → south-iceland →

Volcanic Area

north-iceland

Grjótagjá

Step into Grjótagjá, a geothermal cave with an electric-blue hot spring pool, famously featured in Game of Thrones.

Kannaðu Grjótagjá, jarðhitasvæði staðsett nálægt Mývatni á Norðurlandi. Þessi litli, heillandi hellir geymir rafmagnsljómandi heita lindarlaug, sem er fræg fyrir að hafa verið í Game of Thrones.

Access: Check road and weather conditions before visiting.

Skoða upplýsingar → north-iceland →

Volcanic Area

north-iceland

Krafla Eldstöð og Víti Gígur

Walk the rim of Krafla, an active volcanic system featuring the stunning turquoise Víti crater lake.

Ferðastu til Norðurlands og uppgötvaðu Krafla eldstöðina og heillandi Víti gíginn. Þetta virka eldstöðvakerfi, norðaustur af Mývatni, státar af líflegu blágrænu gígvatni sem myndaðist í eldgosum á áttunda áratugnum og býður upp á einstakt tækifæri til að ganga á brún raunverulegrar eldfjalls.

Access: Check road and weather conditions before visiting.

Skoða upplýsingar → north-iceland →

Volcanic Area

capital-region

Þríhnúkagígur

Descend into Þríhnúkagígur’s volcanic chamber on a seasonal guided tour involving a 3 km hike each way.

Þríhnúkagígur, sem þýðir 'Gígur þriggja tinda', er sofandi eldfjall á Bláfjallasvæðinu í Kópavogi. Það er þekkt fyrir óvenju stóra kvikuhólf sitt, sem er eitt af fáum í heiminum sem hægt er að heimsækja. Farðu niður í þetta jarðfræðilega undur til að sjá ótrúlega litagleði og bergmyndanir.

Access: Do not enter the crater without an authorised tour. Plan the 3 km walk each way and confirm dates, fitness requirements and weather.

Skoða upplýsingar → capital-region →