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Iceland
Maja Jarecka
February 16, 2025
Jiri sedlacek
February 16, 2025
Iceland is a country where the raw power of nature is on full display. Sitting atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, this island is literally being torn apart by the slow movement of tectonic plates—with the North American Plate drifting westward and the Eurasian Plate moving eastward. This dynamic geological setting has created one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth, with over 100 volcanoes, around 30 of which are currently active. While in many parts of the world, a volcanic eruption is a rare, dramatic event, in Iceland, it’s just another Thursday.
Iceland's position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge means it is constantly being reshaped by magma rising from the Earth’s mantle. But that’s not the only reason Iceland is a hotbed for eruptions. A mantle plume, or hotspot, lies beneath the island, supercharging its volcanic activity. This double dose of geological forces explains why Iceland experiences an eruption roughly every 4-5 years.
Without volcanic activity, Iceland as we know it wouldn’t exist. The island was formed entirely by volcanic eruptions that began around 60 million years ago. Over millennia, lava fields, craters, and mountains built up, creating the dramatic landscapes we see today—black sand beaches, basalt columns, and geothermal hot springs, including the famous Blue Lagoon.
In 2010, the world was reminded of Iceland’s power when Eyjafjallajökull erupted. Its massive ash cloud disrupted air travel across Europe, grounding over 100,000 flights. The name itself became infamous for being impossible to pronounce, but for Icelanders, it was just another chapter in their long volcanic history.
One of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes, Hekla, has erupted over 20 times since settlement began. Hekla, one of Iceland’s most active and notorious volcanoes, last erupted in February 2000. Historically, it has erupted roughly every 10–50 years, with major eruptions recorded in 1104, 1300, 1766, 1845, 1947, and 1980–81. Often called the "Gateway to Hell" in medieval times, Hekla has shaped Iceland’s landscape with its frequent and powerful eruptions, producing vast lava fields and thick layers of tephra. Unlike some of Iceland’s other volcanoes, Hekla erupts with little warning, making it unpredictable. Scientists closely monitor seismic activity in the area, as many believe it is overdue for another eruption. Today, it remains one of the most dangerous volcanoes due to its unpredictable nature.
Hidden beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Katla is a ticking time bomb. One of Iceland’s most powerful volcanoes, last erupted in 1918, with previous eruptions occurring roughly every 40–80 years, making it overdue for another major event. Sitting beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, its eruptions often trigger massive glacial floods (jökulhlaups). While smaller subglacial activity has been detected in 1999 and 2011, no confirmed eruption has breached the glacier since 1918.
One of Iceland’s largest volcanic systems, Bárðarbunga, made headlines in 2014-2015 with the Holuhraun eruption, which created Iceland’s largest lava field in 200 years. The eruption lasted six months and spewed more lava than any other eruption in the world in over two centuries.
Dormant for over 6,000 years, Fagradalsfjall suddenly erupted in March 2021, captivating visitors with its stunning lava fountains. Unlike explosive eruptions, this one was more gentle and photogenic, attracting thousands of tourists and hikers. It quickly became known as the "tourist-friendly" eruption, where visitors could sit and warm up from the lava flows—as long as they kept a safe distance. However, it also earned a reputation as a drone graveyard, with countless drones melting mid-air while attempting to capture the spectacle.
Since then, Fagradalsfjall has erupted multiple times, making it one of the most-watched volcanoes in Iceland. However, later eruptions in the area, such as Litli-Hrútur and Sundhnúkagígar, were far less accommodating to tourists. Drone flights were banned, as the eruptions took a more dangerous turn, leading to the evacuation and abandonment of the town of Grindavík. Many residents lost their homes, and Icelanders witnessed firsthand the raw, unpredictable power of nature in a way that was far from just a spectacular light show.
Click the link below to explore Iceland's volcanic events in chronological order. In the past four years, Icelanders have witnessed 10 volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula! Take a closer look at the eruptions of Fagradalsfjall, Litli-Hrútur, and Sundhnúkagígar.
🔗 Read the full article: Chronicles of Unrest: An Elaborate Saga of Volcanic Awakening on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Iceland’s volcanic activity isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Scientists predict that more eruptions are inevitable, especially in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Some believe Iceland is entering a new period of heightened volcanic activity, meaning that eruptions could become even more frequent.
While volcanoes can be destructive, they also provide Iceland with clean, renewable energy. Geothermal power plants, such as Svartsengi and Hellisheiði, harness the Earth’s heat to generate electricity and hot water, making Iceland one of the world’s greenest nations.
For adventurous travelers, Iceland offers plenty of opportunities to witness volcanic landscapes up close:
In most places, seeing a volcanic eruption would be a once-in-a-lifetime event. In Iceland, it’s just part of life. The island continues to be shaped by its volcanoes, offering both danger and beauty in equal measure. Whether it’s past eruptions like Eyjafjallajökull, present hotspots like Fagradalsfjall, or future giants like Katla, Iceland is a living testament to the power of Mother Nature. If you visit, just remember: the ground beneath your feet is always alive.
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