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Understanding Iceland’s Current Volcanic Activity

Volcanoes in Iceland are spread all over the country and some of them are hidden between the thick ice cap from the southern part of Iceland.

Iceland, also known as The Land of Fire and Ice, is definitely the best place in the world to see volcanoes and explore volcanic fields.

This beautiful island emerged from the ocean 18 million years ago due to a volcanic eruption and its landscape changed very little in all these years.

Volcanoes of Iceland left behind black sand beaches, lava fields covered by moss, and also mountainous peaks that stand in the middle of the rocky terrain.

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Fagradalsfjall eruption in 2021

In 2021, March 19 Iceland was again on TV, newspapers, and the internet with the massive eruption of Fagradalsfjall volcano, located in the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The Reykjanes Peninsula is the piece of land that connects Keflavik International Airport with Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland, so many people were concerned about flight delays or even cancellations because of the ash and smoke.

Iceland Volcano in Geldingadalir in Fagradalsfjall mountain on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland Lava volcanoes in Iceland

Iceland Volcano in Geldingadalir in Fagradalsfjall mountain on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland Lava volcanoes of Iceland

Scientists knew that an eruption was imminent as the area was shaken by many earthquakes in the weeks prior to the eruption.

The good thing is that the volcano is located away from roads and human settlements so the eruption did not cause any human losses or important damages.

Lots of tour companies hurried to organize all kinds of tours close to the volcano so that you can see with your own eyes the lava flowing and the volcano spitting ash.

Of course, I found this really interesting and I jumped to the first plane and went to Iceland to see a volcano erupting in Iceland with my own eyes.

I chose to go with an organized tour and it proved to be the smartest choice as I have access to a lot of interesting information and had a totally different perspective of the volcano.

Reykjavík: Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano is the best tour that gets you close to the volcano without being in danger.

You can choose between the afternoon tour and the evening tour, each being unique and showing you an interesting face of the volcano.

Reykjavík Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano Guide

Reykjavík Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano Guide

The tour includes transportation from Reykjavik, a professional guide that accompanies you close to the lava field and the volcano and you can get as close to the volcano as comfortable you feel.

But this article is not just about Fagradalsfjall.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about Iceland volcanoes so that you can properly plan your trip to this magnificent country and include one of the best experiences in the world.

Let’s start with the beginning and see how many volcanoes are in Iceland and which is the largest volcano in Iceland.

How many volcanoes in Iceland?

There are about 135 volcanoes spread all across the country, some of them are active, while others are dormant volcanoes.

From the total of 135 volcanoes, about 30 of them are hidden beneath the thick ice cap that covers about 13% of the total surface of Iceland.

The only part of Iceland where you cannot find any active volcano is the Westfjords, the oldest part of Iceland and the only place where people have to heat the water with electricity instead of using geothermally heated water.

Why is Iceland so active?

I guess you will say Iceland is so active because it has so many volcanoes spread all over its territory.

But now you are probably wondering why there are so many volcanoes gathered in a single place?

Well, the right answer about the increasing number of volcano in Iceland is the location of the country.

Iceland is located right on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, one of the very few places on Earth where you can see above sea level the meeting point of the North American tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate.

These two plates are in continuous moving and they create spaces between them; these spaces create volcanic eruptions and so this is why Iceland is so active.

These tectonic plates can be seen in many places from Iceland, including the Lake Myvatn area and Reykjanes Peninsula, but the most famous place is Thingvellir National Park.

Book in advance your ticket at Silfra Fissure Snorkeling Tour with Underwater Photos, one of the best tours that give you the opportunity to be on two continents at the same time.

Silfra Fissure Snorkeling Tour with Underwater Photos Guide

Silfra Fissure Snorkeling Tour with Underwater Photos Guide

You can snorkel between the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia and get the most outstanding shots of this experience.

The whole experience lasts for about 3 hours and you will be accompanied by a certified PADI dive guide.

You will receive snorkeling equipment to keep you dry and warm as well as a dry suit, hot drinks, and some cookies after the diving session.

Keep in mind that these plates are moving about 2.5 cm so the place is lively and the landscape changes from one year to another.

Are volcanic eruptions frequent in Iceland?

Iceland volcanoes are quite active and eruptions are quite common in the area but pretty hard to predict, which makes them more dangerous.

In the last century, there was at least an eruption every 10 years, some of them were short and not dangerous for people, while others were more intense perturbing the flights.

In the last few years we had the following eruptions:

2010 – Eyjafjallajokull eruption that causes severe problems to aerial traffic
2011 – Grimsfjall volcano registered a short eruption and Hamerinn volcano
2014 – Holuhraun froom Highlands
2015 – Bardarbunga erupted by the end of February
2017 – Katla volcano
2021- Fagradalsfjall eruption

Are volcanoes of Iceland dangerous?

The good news is that most active volcanoes are located far from roads and human settlements so the impact of an eruption would be minimal.

There are many seismic stations and sensors that monitor the seismic activity of each Icelandic volcano and if abnormal data are recorded the area is closely monitored and if necessarily closed.

The area where most of the active volcanoes of Iceland can be found is the southern coast and there are very few cities and villages.

Both volcanoes that erupted in the last decade, Katla volcano and Eyjafjallajokull volcano are located in the southern part of Iceland and both are hidden between a thick ice cap so, besides the risks related to the eruption, there might be massive floods as the glaciers melt from the increased temperatures that occur during the eruption.

But Icelanders are always prepared for volcanic eruptions and evacuations that might be necessary to save people’s lives. Let’s take for example the eruption that occurred in1973 in the Westman Islands.

5.250 people lived there when in the middle of the night the land opened and a massive crack appeared from where hot lava started to erupt.

The authorities reacted promptly and all the inhabitants had been evacuated, so no human lives had been lost.

The entire town had been destroyed by the eruption and the population was moved to the main island.

Today, the town was reconstructed and is an important starting point for expeditions with tourists interested in puffin or whale watching tours plus a short lesson of geology told by experts.

But even if the authorities react promptly and the volcanoes are located far from any human settlement, there is a thing that cannot be controlled by people: the gases released in the atmosphere when a volcano erupts.

Locals and tourists are advised to stay inside, keep their windows closed until the pollution cloud pass and the air is safe.

The lava and ash that goes out from the earth can poison crops and kill livestock producing material damages to farmers from all across the country.

That happened in 2015 after the Bardarbunga eruption when an impressive number of sheep had been killed by the toxic cloud caused by the eruption.

Or let’s remember what happened in 2010 when Eyjafjallajokull erupted and flights all across Europe had been canceled or delayed because of the dense ash cloud that was generated by the eruption.

And based on what experts said, this cloud with ash and gases was nothing compared with the impressive quantity of cubic metres of ash and gases from 1784 caused by the eruption of the Laki volcano.

It caused the death of more than 1 million people and unquantifiable material losses.

Which was the worst eruption ever recorded?

By far the eruption of Laki in 1784 was the worst eruption ever recorded in Iceland. It caused the death of almost 1 million people, from Iceland down to Egypt.

Crops across Europe and northern Africa were destroyed and the rivers from Iceland were poisoned.

About ⅓ of the Icelandic population was killed and almost all livestock was killed.

The dense fog caused maritime traffic delays, famine, and water poisoning, not to mention the climatic changes.

The temperatures in Egypt for example decrease leading to a lack of rain so the Nile dried up and an important number of Egyptians were killed by famine mostly.

Are volcanoes in Iceland good for something?

When they don’t erupt and cause aerial traffic disturbance, gas pollution or rivers of lava change the landform, volcanoes are very useful to people.

Geothermal energy is used by Icelanders everywhere as most of the country’s infrastructure and economy rely on this energy.

Most of the hot water from Iceland, no matter if you use it to wash or to heat a room, comes directly from the ground, so this is mostly why heating in Iceland is cheap and extremely eco-friendly.

When we are talking about electricity in Iceland, about 30% of the energy used in the country comes from geothermal power stations while the remaining 70% is hydro energy.

The volcanoes of Iceland also attract tourists from all over the world.

You, me, and thousands of other people from all across the world rush to Iceland to explore volcanoes and glaciers, to see live an eruption and the rivers of lava flowing and changing dramatically the landscape.

Volcanoes and tourism in Iceland

Many experts consider that the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajokull caused a boom in tourism and millions of people from all over the world rush to see the eruption, how it changes the landscape, and to admire the beauty of this country.

This is one of the reasons why tourism in Iceland is mostly based on volcanoes and there are a lot of trips and tours organized around the Icelandic volcanoes.

The most popular tours include Super Jeep experiences, a little bit of hike, and sometimes a glacier ice cave shaped and modeled by the heat of volcanic activity.

Other tours offer you a magnificent walk and descent into a volcano to see the magma chamber of a dormant volcano.

Among the most popular tours that include volcano experience are:

1.Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater, the best tour to take if you don’t have much time to spend in the area but you want to have a good idea about what this country is about.

The tour includes a complete tour of the Golden Circle route with many stops for photos and exploring at Thingvellir National Park, Geysir area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and of course the Kerid crater.

Inside the crater, there is a beautiful lake so prepare your camera for some of the best photos you’ve ever taken.

Reykjavik Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater Guide

Reykjavik Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater Guide

2. Reykjavík: Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano is a must-do tour as it goes directly to Iceland’s most active volcano, the one that erupted at the beginning of 2021.

You will see the volcano erupting accompanied by a licensed guide, the lava flowing, and also learn some very interesting things about volcanoes and the history of Iceland.

The tour includes a pick-up from Reykjavik and some hiking so you will receive hiking equipment from your guide.

Bring with you some snacks as well as some water as these treats are not included in the tour rate.

Reykjavík Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano Guide

Reykjavík Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano Guide

3. From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour is another popular tour that includes exploring some volcanoes that are closely located in the capital city of Reykjavik.

The tour will last for about 11 hours and starts at your hotel in Reykjavik and includes transportation from Reykjavik to Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

You will visit some charming fishing villages like Arnarstapi, Grundarfjordur, and Hellnar and then admire the beautiful and emblematic Kirkjufell.

Prepare your camera for some beautiful shots of the volcano lava fields covered by moss and the spectacular craters and mountains Ljosufjoll and Kirkjufell.

The tour also includes a stop at the amazing black sand beach from Djúpalónssandur and a shortstop near Snæfellsjökull glacier.

From Reykjavik Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour Guide

From Reykjavik Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour Guide

The best 9 volcanoes in Iceland

1.Fagradalsfjal volcano

My top with the best volcanoes of Iceland starts with the most active one, the Fagradalsfjal volcano, the one that erupted for the first time after 6,000 years on 19th March 2021.

Based on the existing studies, such eruptions as the one from Fagradalsfjal might last for 100 years and this is one of the very few volcanoes in the world that is safe to visit even if it is active.

Reykjavík: Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano is the best tour you can buy that offers you the unique opportunity to hike the mountain to be as close as possible from the place where all the action happens.

The tour lasts for about 5 hours and includes transportation from your hotel in Reykjavik and also a professional guide that will accompany you on the mountain and provide you with a lot of useful information about Iceland’s history and its volcanoes.

Reykjavík Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano Guide

Reykjavík Half-Day Guided Hike of Fagradalsfjall Volcano Guide

2. Herdubreid volcano

This innocent mountain located in the northeastern part of the country right near the Ring Road is one of the most dangerous volcanoes Iceland has.

It is considered to be a dormant volcano as its last eruption was in the Pleistocene, about 2,580,000 to 11,800 years ago.

It is believed to be one of the most active volcanoes from the island which rivers of lava contribute to the expansion of the island known today as Iceland.

The volcano has a total height of 1,685 meters (5,520 feet) and it is very steep and most of the tour companies avoid it as it is quite difficult to climb.

Actually, it was one of the last mountains from the area that was conquered by climbers and this happened just in 1908.

3. Katla volcano

The list of the most beautiful volcanoes in Iceland continues with Katla volcano, a very well-known volcano located in the southern part of the country.

It got its fame after the massive eruption from 1918 which was among the most powerful eruptions ever recorded in Iceland.

The largest volcano in Iceland is active even today and can erupt any time according to the reports issued by the scientists that closely monitor the volcano.

Katla is the largest volcanic source of CO2 from Earth and it is believed that Katla eruptions are responsible for about 4% of the total volcanic carbon dioxide emissions.

The good news about Katla is that its volcanic activity diminished and today smaller eruptions are recorded instead of the massive ones from the beginning of the 20th century.

Because Katla is so unpredictable it is too risky to hike the volcano and get close to the crater.

Still, there are a few interesting tours that include unique experiences inside the heart of the ice cap that covers the volcano.

Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep from Vik is one of those tours that last for about 3 hours and include a visit to a natural ice cave at Mýrdalsjökull Glacier located right at the bottom of Katla volcano.

By the way, did you know that Katla volcano is a subglacial volcano or a stratovolcano?

Yes, Katla is a subglacial volcano which means that it is located beneath a thick ice cap that covers about 14% of the total surface of Iceland.

Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep from Vik guide

Ice Cave by Katla Volcano Super Jeep from Vik guide

This is as close as you can get to this unpredictable volcano and make sure you get your exploring equipment from your guide before you jump into the Super Jeep.

Inside the cave, you will find a very interesting mix of colors mirroring in ice, a combination of gray, black, and blue, and one of the most beautiful ice cave formations.

4. Eyjafjallajökull volcano

Eyjafjallajökull volcano is another important volcano that definitely put Iceland on many travel lists when it erupted in 2010.

This was probably the most surprising eruption of the last 100 years as everything started without prior signs and stopped the air traffic and air travelers in Europe for many days.

This massive and sudden eruption created a tourism boom and in the following month, the number of visitors in Iceland increased dramatically.

Like many other volcanoes from Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull is a stratovolcano which means that it is located beneath the thick ice cap.

It can be found in the southern part of Iceland about 1 and a half hours away from Reykjavik.

What I found really interesting about this volcano and the ice cap on the top of it is that they feed two famous and beautiful waterfalls from the area: Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss.

The volcano is located pretty far from the road and any human settlement, but you still can find tours that get you closer to it.

Eyjafjallajökull Volcano and Glacier Jeep Tour is one of those tours that last for about 8 hours and with luxury, Super Jeep gets you closer to this volcano.

Drive-up the untamed slopes of the glacier with the Super Jeep and admire the beautiful view of the entire Southern Coast of Iceland.

You will be accompanied by a professional guide that will guide you on the tour and provide you with a lot of interesting information about volcanoes in Iceland.

This tour offers you the best glacier experience with a Super Jeep jumping in the snow followed by a glacier walk and breathtaking views of the southern part of Iceland.

Eyjafjallajokull Volcano and Glacier Jeep Tour Guide

Eyjafjallajokull Volcano and Glacier Jeep Tour Guide

5. Askja volcano

Askja together with Viti are the most well-known volcanoes of Iceland located in the northern part of Iceland right near Myvatn Lake.

Both craters are quite accessible during summertime, and you definitely have to include them in your travel list when exploring the northern part of Iceland.

Askja is considered by many professional photographers the best place to photograph a turquoise caldera lake from all across Iceland.

Definitely, it is the best place to go to get one of the most Instagramable photos from the entire trip.

The last recorded eruption of this crater dates from 1961 and the most dangerous and tragic was the one that happened in 1875, March.

The 1875 eruption was so massive that it killed an important number of animals and poisoned rivers and the land around the crater.

The ash and gases cloud travel all across Canada and were detected even in Australia and Brazil so the eruption perturbed lives from all across the world.

You can choose to go on your own and explore this dormant volcano or get a guided tour and visit the area around Myvatn.

We found a really interesting tour that includes not just the Askja caldera but also the outstanding lava field of Holuhraun.

From Lake Mývatn: Askja and Holuhraun Full-Day Jeep Tour last for about 12 hours and you’ll meet your guide at Lake Myvatn Information Centre, in front of Strax Supermarket.

You will jump into a super Jeep and head to Askja caldera but on your way to the caldera stop on the lava fields surrounding Herðubreiðarlindir volcano.

From Lake Myvatn Askja and Holuhraun Full-Day Jeep Tour Guide

From Lake Myvatn Askja and Holuhraun Full-Day Jeep Tour Guide

Then you will reach the geothermal lake from Askja caldera so prepare your camera for some really great shots.

After that head to the Viti crater where the water temperature is around 21 to 25 degrees Celsius but bathing is prohibited.

Jump back into the Super Jeep and head to Holuhraun, the newest lava field from Iceland that was formed by the volcano eruptions that happened in 2014 and 2015.

6. Snæfellsjökull volcano

One of the most famous volcanoes in Iceland is a stratovolcano ( a volcano hidden beneath the ice cap) and is called Snæfellsjökull.

It is located in the western part of Iceland, more precisely on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

This is the volcano that inspired Jules Verne when he wrote the book “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.

The author said that Snæfellsjökull is the entrance to the center of the Earth, the place explored by the main character of the book.

What is interesting about this beautiful volcano is that on a clear day it is visible from Reykjavik, the capital city located on another peninsula close to Snaefellsnes.

You can reach the base of the volcano with a rented car but if you want to hike and explore it we definitely recommend booking a guided tour, for your own safety and comfort.

Our choice From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour proved to be a great choice as we found out a lot of interesting information during the way and saw a lot of interesting things.

From Reykjavik Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour Guide

From Reykjavik Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour Guide

The tour lasts for about 11 hours and includes a complete tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula and includes visits to fishing villages, a beautiful black sand beach, and to volcanic craters.

So, you will stop at famous fishing villages like Arnarstapi, Grundarfjordur, and Hellnar, at the beautiful black sand beach Djupalonssandur and explore the volcanic craters Ljosufjoll and Kirkjufell.

7. Hekla volcano

This magnificent volcano in Iceland is the one you most probably see first when driving the Ring Road along the southern part of Iceland.

It is also known as the Queen of all volcanoes in Iceland and based on the written evidence that exists, this volcano has more than 20 documented eruptions starting with 874, and is ranked as one of the most active volcanoes of Iceland.

One of the most powerful eruptions of this volcano was recorded in the 11th century when it spits into the atmosphere such an important quantity of ash and gases that the climate in Europe cooled considerably, the crops died and famine appeared.

No wonder why people are afraid of this volcano and many legends and stories born around it.

The last eruptions recorded of this volcano happened in 1970, 1981, 1991 and the last one was in 2000.

Hekla is considered to be a very active volcano so we strongly advise you to go accompanied by a professional guide if you want to visit the most active volcano in Iceland.

Reykjavik: Landmannalaugar & Hekla Private Super Jeep Tour is a tour that gets you as close as possible to this volcano.

In the tour price, you have included the transportation from Reykjavik to the lava fields of Landmannalaugar, a hike to some secondary craters of Hekla volcano, a few stops to beautiful waterfalls, and a relaxing bath in the Landmannalaugar hot spring.

Reykjavik Landmannalaugar and Hekla Private Super Jeep Tour Guide

Reykjavik Landmannalaugar and Hekla Private Super Jeep Tour Guide

The tour starts in Reykjavik and you will pass near fertile farmlands before entering the mountain roads and heading to the snow-covered Hekla peak.

If the weather is great and the volcanic activity is low, the guide will lead you along the volcano’s ridge, about 900 meters above sea level.

You will pass by the lava fields formed after the 2000 eruption, intensely rugged mountain terrain, and go up to the craters.

Before going down you will also visit Ljótipollur crater and then you will have a coffee and lunch break in the beautiful Landmannalaugar area.

After lunch, you will have about 1 or 2 hours to take a bath in a natural pool or to explore the lava fields.

The last stop on your way back to Reykjavik is at Hjálparfoss waterfall, a beautiful waterfall found at the confluence of two important rivers: Þjórsá and Fossá.

8. Grímsvötn volcano

Located in the southern part of Iceland inside the country’s largest national park Vatnajokull National Park, Grímsvötn is located inside the largest glacier in Europe, the Vatnajokull ice cap.

Grímsvötn is an active volcano hidden beneath the ice cap with the magma chamber located right beneath it.

Its most notable eruption was recorded in 1873 when the Laki fissure opened and created a system of volcanic craters whose eruption caused the death of millions of people, famine, and major climate changes all across the globe.

Being located beneath a thick layer of ice, its eruptions always caused massive floodings all across the southern part of Iceland.

The last major eruption of Grímsvötn happened in 2011, May when the ash spit in the atmosphere caused flight delays and cancellations not just in Iceland but also in Greenland, Norway, Ireland, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

9. Öræfajökull volcano

Öræfajökull volcano is actually the tallest mountain from Iceland with the highest peak of 2110 meters called Hvannadalshnúkur.

Öræfajökull is a stratovolcano like many other volcanoes in Iceland, meaning that it is hidden beneath the ice cap and is located within the Vatnajokull glacier.

Vatnajokull Glacier in Iceland Ice

Vatnajokull Glacier in Iceland Ice

Its last major eruption dates from 1727, August but the major documented eruption dates from 1362 when the volcano erupted massively and caused important flooding in the southern part of Iceland.

Many farms had been destroyed, animals killed and crops damaged; it is said that sailors all across the northern part of Europe had difficulties in guiding their ships because of the ash cloud caused by the eruption.

It is said that the area around the volcano remained inhabited for almost half a century, that massive and destructive was the eruption.

Where to sleep around the volcanoes

Most of the Icelandic volcanoes are located in the southern part of the country, inside the beautiful Vatnajokull National Park.

In order to explore this area, you definitely need to spend at least one night on the southern coast of Iceland.

For this part of Iceland our recommendations for your overnight stay are:

Luxury: Fosshotel Lagoon is perfectly located between Jokursarlon and the most popular meeting points for ice caving experiences. Fosshotel offers clean and very modern rooms, a tasty breakfast, and all the comfort you need for a wonderful stay.

mid-level: nestled in the middle of the wilderness Seljavellir Guesthouse Hofn is a great place to spend your night and observe the Northern Lights as the place is far from any light pollution.

budget: the simple but clean Laekjarhus Farm Holidays Iceland located just 15 miles from the Glacier Lagoon is run by an Icelandic family of farmers, a great place to set up your camp and explore the area.

Another beautiful area full of volcanoes and geothermal baths that is quite far from Reykjavik and you definitely need at least one night of accommodation is located in the northeastern part of Iceland, around Lake Myvatn.

Here, we choose to stay at Vogafjos Farm Resort Myvatn, a beautiful farm with amazing cabins for tourist accommodation and one of the most delicious and natural foods we have ever had on our tour across Iceland.

The rooms were clean and spacious, while the view from the restaurant is to die for.

Among the volcanoes mentioned in this article, some of them are located quite close to Reykjavik and you can easily take a day trip from the capital city to the volcanoes.

So, you can set your camp in Reykjavik and take day trips from here to the areas around the city.

When talking about Reykjavik accommodation, we chose to stay at Midgardur By Center Hotels , a beautiful 4 stars hotel with parking space and within a walking distance from all the major attractions from the city.

The room was clean and spacious and the breakfast was plentiful and tasty, while the services were great.

Conclusion

Volcanoes in Iceland are spread all over the country, but the highest density can be found in the southern part of Iceland, where most of them are hidden beneath the thick ice cap.

Some of the volcanoes are too dangerous to be visited, while for others we strongly recommend you to book a seat at one of the many tours offered by local tour companies.

It might be too dangerous to hike on your own up to a crater, as the Icelandic weather changes quickly and conditions might change dramatically and a great day transforms into a nightmare.

That is why we strongly recommend you to hike the volcanoes and explore the lava fields and the ice caves in Iceland just accompanied by a professional guide that has the necessary knowledge so that you can stay out of the danger zone.

FAQ

How many active volcanoes are there in Iceland?

Iceland also called The Land of Fire and Ice is home to more than 130 volcanoes spread all across the country.

Of the total of 130 volcanoes, about 31 are active volcanoes located under the island.

What are the 3 most active volcanoes in Iceland?

The most active volcano in Iceland is definitely Hekla, a beautiful volcano located in the southern part of Iceland beneath the thick ice cap.

It erupted 18 times starting with 1104 when we had the first documented eruption until 2000 when it was the last eruption.

Other active volcanoes of Iceland are Grimsvotn, Askla, Katla, and Krafta; Katla for example erupted 20 times since the island of Iceland was settled.

Is the volcano in Iceland still erupting?

Fagradalsfjal is the name of the volcano that continues to erupt for almost half a year.

The eruption started on 19th March 2021 and it is the longest eruption recorded in Iceland in the last 50 years.

For the last 6 months, the lava continues to flow and reshape the Icelandic landscape, but fortunately, the volcanic eruption did not cause any damages and did not take any lives.

When did the Iceland volcano last erupt?

With more than 130 volcanoes spread all across the country, volcanic eruptions are quite common in Iceland.

There is at least an eruption every 10 years, but the good thing is that most of these eruptions did not cause major problems.

The last major eruption was in 2010 when Eyjafjallajokull erupted and caused massive disruptions to flights all across Europe for almost 1 week.

 

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation

We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance

We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money, plus COVID coverage.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected events and cost like illness, COVID, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.