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Are there volcanoes in Iceland? Top 14 best volcanoes in Iceland

11-08-2023

volcanoes in Iceland

Iceland is a land of fire and ice, and its volcanoes are a testament to the power of nature. These towering mountains have shaped the country's landscape and history, and they continue to be a source of beauty and wonder.

In this blog article, we'll take a closer look at some of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland. We'll learn about their history, their geology, and their potential dangers. We'll also explore some of the best ways to experience these amazing natural wonders.

Are there volcanoes in Iceland?

The answer is a resounding yes! Iceland is a volcanic island, and it's home to over 300 volcanoes, both active and extinct. The volcanoes in Iceland are some of the most active in the world, and they've played a major role in shaping the landscape of the country.

How many volcanoes are there in Iceland?

As mentioned before, there are over 300 volcanoes in Iceland. However, not all of them are created equal. Some of the volcanoes in Iceland are much more active than others.

Iceland volcanoes map

What are the 3 most active volcanoes in Iceland?

The three most active volcanoes in Iceland are:

  • Hekla: is one of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland. It's also one of the most active, having erupted over 20 times in the past 1,000 years. Hekla is a stratovolcano, which means that it's made up of alternating layers of lava and ash. It's also a fissure volcano, which means that it erupts from a long, narrow crack in the ground. Hekla's eruptions are often explosive, and they can produce ash clouds that can reach up to 20 kilometers high.

  • Grímsvötn: It is the largest volcano in Iceland. It's also one of the most powerful, and its eruptions can have a significant impact on the climate of the country. Grímsvötn is a subglacial volcano, which means that it's located under a glacier. This makes it difficult to study, and it also makes its eruptions more dangerous. Grímsvötn's eruptions can produce jökulhlaups, which are massive floods of glacial meltwater. Jökulhlaups can travel at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, and they can cause widespread damage.

  • Katla: a glacier-capped volcano that's located under the Vatnajökull glacier. It's one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Iceland, as its eruptions can cause jökulhlaups, which are massive floods of glacial meltwater. Katla is also a stratovolcano, and it's one of the largest in Iceland. Its eruptions are often explosive, and they can produce ash clouds that can reach up to 50 kilometers high.

 Iceland volcanic areas

14 Best volcanoes in Iceland

Öræfajökull

Öræfajökull is the largest glacier in Iceland, and it's also one of the most active volcanoes in the country. The volcano is located in the Vatnajökull glacier region, and it's the source of many of the glaciers in the area.

The most recent eruption of Öræfajökull was in 1727. The eruption was a major event, and it caused widespread destruction in the surrounding area. The eruption also produced a large ash cloud that reached up to 20 kilometers high. The ash cloud caused air travel disruptions in Europe.

Öræfajökull is a beautiful volcano, but it's also a dangerous one. The glacier is a large, deep hole, and the crater lake is acidic and dangerous to swim in.

Eyjafjallajökull

Eyjafjallajökull is a glacier-capped volcano that's located in the south of Iceland. It's one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, and it's known for its explosive eruptions.

The most recent eruption of Eyjafjallajökull was in 2010. The eruption was a major event, and it caused widespread disruption in Europe. The eruption produced a large ash cloud that reached up to 80 kilometers high. The ash cloud caused air travel disruptions in Europe and North America.

eyjafjallajokull volcano

Katla

Katla Volcano, located in Iceland's southern region, is a powerful and active stratovolcano. Its awe-inspiring presence has shaped the island's landscape and history.

Katla's eruptions are often triggered by the eruptions of its neighbor, Eyjafjallajökull. The most recent eruption of Katla was in 1918. The eruption caused widespread destruction in the surrounding area, and it also produced a large ash cloud that reached up to 20 kilometers high.

Askja

Askja is a caldera volcano that's located in the Vatnajökull glacier region of Iceland. It's one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, and it's known for its explosive eruptions.

The most recent eruption of Askja was in 1961. The eruption was a major event, and it caused widespread destruction in the surrounding area. 

Askja Volcano, situated in the remote Highlands of Iceland, is a caldera with an otherworldly landscape. Trek to its mesmerizing crater lakes, witness the dramatic geological features, and experience a journey into Iceland's volcanic heart.

Askja Volcano

Litli-Hrútur

Litli-Hrútur is a small volcano that erupted in 2014. It's located in the Westfjords region of Iceland, and it's a popular tourist destination. Litli-Hrútur is a cinder cone volcano, which means that it's made up of small, loose pieces of volcanic rock. Its eruptions are typically not very explosive, but they can still be dangerous.

The eruption of Litli-Hrútur in 2014 was a relatively small event, but it was still impressive. The volcano spewed ash and lava for several weeks, and it caused some damage to nearby roads and buildings. However, no one was injured in the eruption.

Litli-Hrútur is a beautiful volcano, and it's a great place to see the power of nature. The crater of the volcano is about 100 meters wide, and the lava that was erupted was a beautiful shade of red.

Hekla

Hekla is one of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland. It's also one of the most active, having erupted over 20 times in the past 1,000 years. Hekla is a stratovolcano, which means that it's made up of alternating layers of lava and ash. It's also a fissure volcano, which means that it erupts from a long, narrow crack in the ground. Hekla's eruptions are often explosive, and they can produce ash clouds that can reach up to 20 kilometers high.

The most recent eruption of Hekla was in 2000. The eruption lasted for several weeks, and it caused widespread disruption in Iceland. The eruption also produced a large ash cloud that reached up to 20 kilometers high. The ash cloud caused air travel disruptions in Europe.

Hekla Volcano

Meradelir

Meradelir is a group of volcanoes that erupted in 2010. They're located in the Eastern Highlands region of Iceland, and they're a great place to see the power of nature. Meradalir is a fissure volcano, which means that it erupts from a long, narrow crack in the ground. The 2010 eruption of Meradalir was one of the largest in Iceland in recent history.

The eruption of Meradalir began on April 20, 2010, and it lasted for several weeks. Meradelir is a beautiful place, and it's a great place to see the power of nature. The lava fields that were created by the eruption are a stunning sight, and they're a reminder of the forces that shape the Earth.

Eldfell

Eldfell is a volcano that erupted in 1973. It's located on the island of Heimaey, and it's a great place to see the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. Eldfell is a cinder cone volcano, and its eruptions are typically not very explosive.

The eruption of Eldfell began on January 23, 1973, and it lasted for several months. The eruption caused widespread destruction on the island of Heimaey, but it also created a new landform. The lava that was erupted from Eldfell formed a new peninsula on the island, which is now known as Eldfell.

Eldfell is a beautiful volcano, and it's a great place to learn about the power of nature. The volcano is still active, and it's possible to see steam rising from the crater.

Eldfell volcano

Bláhnúkur

Bláhnúkur is a small volcano that erupted in 2007. It's located in the Westfjords region of Iceland, and it's a popular tourist destination. Bláhnúkur is a cinder cone volcano, which means that it's made up of small, loose pieces of volcanic rock. Its eruptions are typically not very explosive, but they can still be dangerous.

The eruption of Bláhnúkur in 2007 was a relatively small event, but it was still impressive. The volcano spewed ash and lava for several weeks, and it caused some damage to nearby roads and buildings. However, no one was injured in the eruption.

Bláhnúkur is a beautiful volcano, and it's a great place to see the power of nature. The crater of the volcano is about 100 meters wide, and the lava that was erupted was a beautiful shade of blue.

Grímsvötn

Grímsvötn is the largest volcano in Iceland. It's also one of the most powerful, and its eruptions can have a significant impact on the climate of the country. Grímsvötn is a subglacial volcano, which means that it's located under a glacier. This makes it difficult to study, and it also makes its eruptions more dangerous.

Grímsvötn's eruptions can produce jökulhlaups, which are massive floods of glacial meltwater. Jökulhlaups can travel at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, and they can cause widespread damage. The most recent eruption of Grímsvötn was in 2011

Grimsvotn eruption

Mount Fagradalsfjall

Mount Fagradalsfjall is a volcano that erupted in 2021. It's located in the Reykjanes Peninsula region of Iceland, and it's a great place to see the latest volcanic activity in Iceland. Mount Fagradalsfjall is a shield volcano, which means that it's wide and relatively flat. Its eruptions are typically not very explosive, but they can still be dangerous.

The eruption of Mount Fagradalsfjall began on March 19, 2021, and it lasted for several months. The eruption was a popular tourist attraction, and thousands of people visited the area to see the lava flows.

Mount Fagradalsfjall is a beautiful volcano, and it's a great place to see the power of nature. The lava flows that were created by the eruption are a stunning sight, and they're a reminder of the forces that shape the Earth.

Herðubreið

Herðubreið is a large volcano that's located in the Highlands region of Iceland. It's a popular hiking destination, and it offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Herðubreið is a shield volcano, and its eruptions are typically not very explosive.

Herðubreið is the second-highest volcano in Iceland, and it's one of the most recognizable volcanoes in the country. The volcano is shaped like a dome, and it's covered in a layer of snow and ice.

The hike to the top of Herðubreið is challenging, but it's worth the effort. The views from the top are simply incredible. You can see for miles in every direction, and you can even see the ocean on a clear day.

Herdubreid volcano, highlands

Snæfellsjökull

Snæfellsjökull is a glacier-capped volcano that's located in the Snæfellsnes peninsula region of Iceland. It's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland, and it's been featured in many works of fiction, including Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Snæfellsjökull is a stratovolcano, and its last eruption was in 1783. The eruption was relatively small, but it did cause some damage to the surrounding area.

Snæfellsjökull is a beautiful volcano, and it's a great place to see the power of nature. The glacier is a stunning sight, and it's a reminder of the forces that shape the Earth.

Discovering the best volcanoes in Iceland

In Iceland Cars we can say that volcanoes are a fascinating and powerful part of Iceland's landscape. They have shaped the country's geography and history, and they continue to be a source of beauty and wonder.

If you're interested in learning more about volcanoes in Iceland, I encourage you to visit the website of the Icelandic Meteorological Office. They have a wealth of information about the volcanoes in Iceland, including their location, activity status, and history.

You can also take a guided tour of one of the many volcanoes in Iceland. This is a great way to learn about the geology of the volcanoes and the history of their eruptions.