Iceland is home to many active and dormant volcanoes due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This divergent tectonic plate boundary runs through the centre of the country.
Iceland's unique geology and volcanic activity make it a popular destination for geologists, hikers, and tourists. However, it is essential to note that volcanic eruptions can be dangerous, and visitors should always follow the guidance of local authorities and experts.
Iceland has many volcanoes due to being situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This ridge is a 40.000 km crack in the ocean floor caused by separating the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Some of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland include:
This volcano became famous in 2010 when its eruption disrupted air travel across Europe. It is located in the south of Iceland, near Hvolsvöllur.
Katla is one of Iceland's most active and dangerous volcanoes. It is located beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier in the south of the country and has erupted multiple times, causing floods and other hazards.
Hekla is one of Iceland's most active and well-known volcanoes. It is located in the south of Iceland and has a long history of eruptions.
This is Iceland's most active volcano, located beneath the Vatnajökull glacier in the country's southeast. It erupts regularly, often causing flooding in the surrounding areas.
This volcano is located in the northeastern highlands of Iceland and is famous for its large caldera and the lake that fills it. It last erupted in 1961.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge has made Iceland a landmass between the submarine Reykjanes Ridge to the southwest and the Kolbeinsey Ridge to the north and has been active during the last 20-25 million years, broadly coinciding with the period of active volcanism in Iceland. Today Iceland has around 130 active or inactive volcanoes.
Between August 2014 and March 2015 in Holuhraun in Bardarbunga, in the country's interior, just north of Vatnajökull glacier, was Iceland's last big volcanic eruption.
No one ever died because of direct contact with a volcano in Iceland, because of being run over by a flow of lava. Indirectly the volcanoes have nevertheless been very deadly.
Even though you've read and heard stories about the destructive powers of Icelandic volcanoes, don't be put off from coming to this land of ice and fire. Although volcano tourism had already started in Iceland, with the Eyjafjallajökull eruptions in 2010, it became even more extensive, seeing thousands of people hiking, driving, snowmobiling or flying to the craters.
Nobody was harmed during the eruption, and the people who made the trip witnessed a spectacular show of the forces of nature! Wirely recommends experiencing this fantastic natural wonders from an arranged trip by a local tour operator.
