The Volcanoes of Iceland

Being both a land of fire and ice, Iceland is a fascinating destination known for housing some of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world! Its landscapes, composed of geysers, hot springs, and lava fields, are exceptional... How many volcanoes are there in Iceland? Is it dangerous to see Icelandic volcanoes? If you are still unsure about what to do in Iceland, visiting the country's volcanoes should definitely be on your itinerary! If you have questions before your departure, here are my answers

Iceland is home to about 130 volcanoes, with approximately 30 currently active! These are located all over the country, except in the western fjords.

In general, these volcanoes are distributed along volcanic fissures that run through Iceland, particularly along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates separate. The land also hosts a hotspot beneath its surface, explaining the island's incredible geothermal activity!

It's true that among the countries with the most volcanoes in the world, Iceland often takes the gold medal... This uniqueness is due to the geographical position of the island, where two tectonic plates meet: the North American plate and the Eurasian plate.

These plates separate along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent zone where magma rises to the surface to form new land crusts! This geothermal feature can be easily observed on the Reykjanes Peninsula, around Lake Mývatn, and at Thingvellir.

As mentioned earlier, Iceland is also located above a hotspot! This is an area where the Earth's mantle is extremely hot and can reach colossal temperatures during magma production. Thus, the combination of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and this hotspot creates perfect conditions for a volcano to erupt in Iceland, also explaining their presence.

Volcanic activities are generally unpredictable, but they tend to occur on average every 4 to 5 years. Looking back at the last decade, Iceland has experienced several eruptions, such as in 2014 at Holuhraun in the Highlands and in 2011 with the Grímsfjall volcano. However, one of the most famous eruptions remains that of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010, which disrupted air traffic worldwide.

Generally speaking, Iceland is one of the countries with the highest frequency of eruptions for the reasons mentioned in the previous section. Now, not all eruptions are as spectacular as that of Eyjafjallajökull, and fortunately... Some Icelandic volcanoes cause less damage, although the alert level should always be taken seriously, so be cautious!

Traveling in Iceland is not generally dangerous! The country is even considered one of the safest in the world... Even though the risk of eruptions is possible, keep in mind that they are also closely monitored by the Icelandic authorities. The country has advanced volcanic and seismic monitoring systems capable of detecting warning signs and acting accordingly

Depending on the planned activities and choice of accommodation, some areas such as glaciers and lava fields may be dangerous. Always stay on marked trails during hikes and always follow the advice of local guides or authorities.

Ranking among the most active and feared volcanoes in Iceland, Hekla is located in the southern region and stands at about 1,488 meters. This volcano is a stratovolcano distinguished by its elongated shape and a volcanic fissure that is 5.5 kilometers long! Dubbed the Gateway to Hell since the Middle Ages, its eruptions are violent and capable of ejecting devastating ash...

This ice-covered stratovolcano has gained worldwide fame since its eruption in 2010, which ejected enormous clouds of volcanic ash that disrupted air traffic across Europe for weeks... Its eruption caused the cancellation of thousands of flights affecting millions of passengers, not to mention all the significant economic losses and repercussions...

The Eyjafjallajökull volcano stands at no less than 1,666 meters in height and is known for causing glacial floods during eruptions. Although it is small compared to other Icelandic volcanoes, its activities are always on a large scale with disastrous consequences!

Located beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier in the south of the country, the Katla volcano has a crater with a diameter of about 10 kilometers, making it one of the largest volcanoes in Iceland. It is also known for its violent and frequent eruptions, although the last major eruption dates back to 1918.

Even though the Katla volcano is in relative inactivity, authorities and experts remain very alert as it is considered overdue for its next eruption. When it erupts, Katla causes jökulhlaup, destructive floods caused by the rapid melting of ice. The good news is that this volcano is near Eyjafjallajökull, making it even more dangerous for volcanologists!

The Grímsvötn volcano lies beneath the Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe! Subglacial eruptions are often accompanied by jökulhlaup floods, which can cause considerable damage to infrastructures and agricultural lands in the vicinity. The particularity of Grímsvötn also lies in its structure composed of several craters...

This Icelandic volcano is responsible for many violent eruptions, the most recent being in 2011. This eruption produced significant ash plumes and airborne disruptions, although they were less severe than those caused by the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010... But that's still quite significant!

Famous for its spectacular caldera and its lake Öskjuvatn, the Askja volcano is a large volcanic system formed by a series of explosive eruptions, the most violent occurring in 1875! This eruption sent ash clouds across all of Europe, leading to a significant Icelandic migration to North America!

The Öskjuvatn lake, meanwhile, is one of the deepest in Iceland and is exceptionally beautiful! Another smaller lake nearby is Viti, known for its turquoise waters... The Askja volcano is one of the most popular among hikers, but its isolated location makes it difficult to access

Known for causing climate upheavals during its last eruption in 1783, the Laki volcano is one of the most destructive in Iceland. The eruption known as Skaftáreldar lasted over 8 months, producing lava flows that covered 600 square kilometers of land... The volcano also emitted impressive amounts of toxic gases, such as sulfur dioxide

These gases had a severe climatic impact known as the "volcanic winter," causing famine in Iceland and climatic disruptions in Europe and beyond... Tragically, the eruption of the Laki volcano was responsible for the death of about 20% of the Icelandic population.

If you have always dreamed of seeing volcanoes in Iceland, there are several hikes and guided tours available to admire these natural forces up close... Of course, I recommend being in good physical condition since these activities can be quite strenuous. But don't worry, there are also experiences that are accessible to everyone that don't require high physical capabilities.

I highly recommend participating in a guided tour in Iceland! These tailor-made solutions offer packages that include accommodation, meals, and a full itinerary to visit Iceland. Several circuits are available, so don't hesitate to inquire.

There is not necessarily an ideal season to choose when to visit Iceland! It will largely depend on your preferences and climatic variations. Ideally, the summer season in Iceland offers long days and milder weather, facilitating access to some more remote areas where volcanoes are located. Hiking trails are more accessible, and the landscapes are lush and green; it will be pure joy!

If you're more tempted by the idea of visiting Iceland in winter, the experience will be completely different as the country reveals spectacular snowy landscapes. This is the best season to see the Northern Lights in Iceland and enjoy the few hours of daylight to visit volcanoes. Many excursions and hikes adapted to the winter season will allow you to experience this.

My article on Icelandic volcanoes is coming to an end. I hope you enjoyed it and that you are now ready to discover the geology of Iceland. In the meantime, if you're looking for what to do in Reykjavik or where to stay in Akureyri, I have articles for you