The Ultimate Guide to Volcanoes in Iceland + The Impact of COVID-19

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The Land of Ice and Fire, Iceland is a natural wonderland where the freezing forces of glaciers and arctic weather are in a constant battle with the earth's explosive heat. The result is a world of dramatic contrasts across a stark landscape, with a beauty like nowhere else.

None of this would be possible without Iceland’s volcanoes. Perhaps more than any other force, they define the nature of the land, creating endless fields of moss-coated lava, sweeping plains of black sand, jagged peaks, and vast craters.

The volcanic forces beneath the earth's surface also create some of the country’s most popular wonders, such as its naturally occurring hot springs and explosive geysers. The consequences of past eruptions have led to even more, such as winding lava caves and cliffs defined with hexagonal basalt columns.

Thousands flock to Iceland to witness its volcanoes and the marvels they have (and continue to) create; during eruptions, like the one currently occurring on the Reykjanes Peninsula, even more rush over for their chance to see one of the earth’s most dramatic and beautiful phenomena. Although COVID-19 has impacted travel plans globally, Iceland is still open to visitors from approved countries. 

Will COVID-19 Impact my Chances to Visit a Volcano? 

Keeping travelers and locals safe is the highest priority. The Icelandic health authorities have put guidelines in place limiting how many people can gather, how businesses are operating, and more. You can learn more about the current restrictions on our COVID-19 information page.

It's possible to spend days exploring volcanic regions. These tours offer a wealth of information on the area, the sights, the process of an eruption, and even any recent eruptions that have happened. Typically these tours are driving tours. These experiences will generally be less impacted than the tours which take you down into a volcano.  

If you are looking to venture down into a volcano, you may find the tour operator offers less frequent tours and smaller groups. However, it is a nice benefit for travelers. It will give you a unique opportunity to see this incredible wonder without many other people. Leaving you more time to ask your guide questions, take photos and embrace all that the tour has to offer. 

The guidelines have impacted many local companies, but thankfully they have found a way to adapt to the current situation. The gathering ban affects the number of people who can get together simultaneously—these restrictions impact local restaurants, swimming pools, tours, and more. The social distancing requirement also states you must wear a mask if you cannot stay 2 meters away from other people.

If you are looking to lessen your contact with people even more, you can choose to take advantage of a self-driving tour. This option provides you with a thoroughly planned itinerary and a vehicle, giving you the ability to move at your own pace and avoid the bigger crowds.

The top 9 volcanos on this list are located around the country. With 70% of the population living in the capital area, it won’t take you long to find some wide-open spaces to explore without any other people.

Do note, however, that the current eruption occurring at Geldingadalur is very popular and is prone to crowding. As such, visitors should be extra cautious about social distancing and mask-wearing should they choose to visit.

Considering how vital they are to Icelandic nature, industry, and character, we have compiled this ultimate guide to volcanoes in Iceland to answer any questions you may have about these forces of fire.

• Find Self Drive tours here

The 2021 Geldingadalur Eruption in Iceland         

Iceland is currently experiencing a magnificent eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, the land that connects Reykjavik with Keflavik International Airport. In the weeks before its eruption, the capital and its surrounding areas had been shaken by tens of thousands of earthquakes, an ominous promise that volcanic activity was imminent. 

At around 21.30 on March 19th, a great fissure opened in the Geldingadalur area, just south of the Fagradalsfjall volcano, measuring about 700 meters long and covering a square kilometer. 

Although the Reykjanes Peninsula is a vital part of the country, Geldingadalur is thankfully located within a sheltered valley away from any settlements or infrastructure, making its eruption rather undisruptive. 

• See also: The Complete Guide to the Geldingadalur Volcanic Eruption

Adding to this is that it is an effusive rather than an eruptive volcano, meaning its lava has come oozing and sputtering out of the earth, rather than exploding with a cacophony of ash, fire, and rock.

Of course, the moment Geldingadalur went off, everybody wanted to go and see it. Even though eruptions are quite common in Iceland, they rarely happen so close to the capital. 

Certain operators immediately launched tours allowing guests to approach the spectacular lava flow and marvel over the fiery fountains and molten rivers under the watchful eye of an experienced local guide.

• See also: 10 Insane Photos of the Fagradalsfjall Volcanic Eruption at Geldingadalur

Others have chosen to witness its breathtaking power and beauty from the air by booking a helicopter or small plane from Reykjavik Domestic Airport. Such trips, though expensive, provide the kind of memories that will last a lifetime and the kind of photos that will make your social media followers green with envy!

The way that most people are seeing Geldingadalur, however, is by simply hiking there themselves. This is where Geldingadalur’s sheltered, remote location becomes a double-edged sword. Though on the very accessible Reykjanes Peninsula, the nearest roads to it have been closed and reaching it requires around two hours of trekking across some very rough terrain both ways, at a time of year when the weather is most unpredictable.

As such, those embarking on the journey will need to be well prepared. Sturdy hiking boots are essential, as are warm, waterproof clothes; even if the weather in Iceland is nice when you set out, the conditions can change in a heartbeat. 

You’ll also need to take plenty of water with you, as there are no shops or glacial rivers en route, and bringing some high-energy snacks is highly recommended. You will also want to ensure you have a fully charged phone on your person, and of course, a camera or drone should you want to capture its majesty on camera.

• See also: The Ultimate Guide to Flying Drones in Iceland

If you wish to travel to Geldingadalur yourself, understand that you do so at your own risk; it is much safer to go with a local guide who is familiar with the landscapes and trained for any eventuality. It is also highly discouraged to visit if you have respiratory conditions, as the fumes coming from the eruption are the most dangerous aspect of it. 

These can even trigger symptoms in the vulnerable several kilometers away if the winds are strong and direct.

Since its first fissure opened, the main eruption site at Geldingadalur has risen into one vast crater. However, several new fissures have opened around it, showing how volatile and unpredictable the earth's volcanic forces are. Authorities are keeping a close eye on Geldingadalur and are willing to suspend the right to visit should the path to it be compromised.

Even so, any currently in or soon traveling to Iceland should grab onto any opportunity they have to witness Geldingadalur safely. After all, witnessing a volcano erupt in Iceland, particularly one so accessible and mesmerizing, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

• See also: Live Feed from the Fagradalsfjall Volcanic Eruption in Geldingadalur

How Many Volcanoes Are There in Iceland?         

There are approximately 130 volcanoes in Iceland, active and inactive. About 30 active volcanic systems can be found under the island, in all parts of the country other than the Westfjords.

The Westfjords no longer have any activity because it is the oldest part of Iceland’s landmass, formed around 16 million years ago, and has since been pushed away from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Thus, the Westfjords is the only part of the country that has to heat its water with electricity, rather than using geothermally heated water.

• Find Westfjords Tours here

Why is Iceland so Volcanic?         

The volcanism of Iceland comes from the fact that the country sits directly across the Mid Atlantic Ridge. This ridge separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, and Iceland is one of the few places on earth that it can be seen above sea level.

These tectonic plates are divergent, meaning that they are pulling away from each other. As they do so, magma from the mantle rises to fill the space between them in the form of volcanic eruptions. This occurs down the length of the rift, as can be noted on other volcanic islands such as those of the Azores and St. Helena.

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge goes all the way through Iceland, meaning that much of it is, in fact, on the North American continent. There are many places in the country where you can witness parts of the Ridge, such as the aforementioned Reykjanes Peninsula and the Lake Mývatn Area, but Þingvellir is the best. Here, you can stand in a valley between the plates and clearly see the continents' walls on opposite sides of the National Park.

Due to this divergence between the plates, this valley widens approximately 2.5 centimeters every year.

• Visit Þingvellir on a Golden Circle Tour here

How Often Do Volcanic Eruptions Occur in Iceland?        

Volcanic eruptions in Iceland are an unpredictable but relatively regular occurrence. Since the turn of the 19th Century, not a decade has gone by without one going off, but whether they go off in quick succession or spaced apart is quite random.

Before Geldingadalur, the most recent known eruption in Iceland was at Holuhraun in the Highlands in 2014. Grímsfjall volcano had a short eruption in 2011, and, more famously, Eyjafjallajökull caused a lot of trouble back in 2010. The word ‘known’ is used because there have been several suspected subglacial volcanic eruptions at different locations around the country that did not break the ice, such as Katla in 2017 and Hamerinn in 2011.

• See also: 15 Incredible Photos of Holuhraun Volcano

How Dangerous are Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland? 

The threat to human life during volcanic eruptions in Iceland nowadays is minimal. Seismic stations around the country are excellent at predicting eruptions. If a major volcano such as Katla or Askja shows signs of rumbling, the areas are restricted and closely monitored.

Most active volcanoes are far from the towns due to the sense of early settlers. The South Coast of Iceland, for example, has very few towns and villages since major volcanoes like Katla and Eyjafjallajökull sit just to its north. As both of these peaks sit under glaciers, the eruptions can cause enormous glacial floods that wipe out anything between them and the ocean.

This causes much of the south to look like a black-sand desert; it is a glacial outwash plain.

• Find South Coast tours here

These glacial floods - or jökulhlaups as they are called in both Icelandic and English - remain one of the most dangerous parts of Iceland's volcanoes due to their unpredictability. As mentioned above, subglacial eruptions can occur without anyone knowing, and these flash floods can therefore happen seemingly without warning.

Science is constantly improving, and nowadays, areas can be cleared and monitored if a jökulhlaup is even suspected. Therefore, it is obvious and imperative to never drive on closed roads, even if it is summer and there are seemingly no hazards ahead.

Though most volcanoes are a long distance from population centers, the unexpected can still occur. When it has, however, Iceland’s emergency measures have been incredibly effective. Take, for example, the 1973 eruption of Heimaey in the Westman Islands.

• See also: Top 5 Islands in Iceland

The Westman Islands are a volcanic archipelago, of which Heimaey is the only inhabited island; at the time of the eruption, 5,200 people lived there. Beginning in the early hours of January 22nd, a fissure that opened about on the edge of town snaked right through its center, tearing apart roads and consuming hundreds of buildings in the blooming lava.

Despite the fact it happened in the middle of the night, in the dead of winter, the island's evacuation was swift and effective. With the population safely on the mainland, Iceland’s rescue teams worked with the US troops based in the country to minimize damage.

By pumping seawater constantly on the lava flow, they managed to redirect it from many houses. They prevented it from closing the harbor, which would have forever crippled the island’s economy.

Though nearly 400 homes were destroyed and the island’s infrastructure was heavily damaged, only one person lost their life due to the Heimaey eruption. Today, the town has been rebuilt and is a center for tourists looking to go whale or puffin watching or learn about this fascinating event.

• Find Westman Islands tours here

As excellent as a prediction of and response to Icelandic volcanic eruptions has become, there are still some dangers associated with eruptions that travelers should be aware of. Should an eruption occur in Iceland during your stay, it is important to be aware of the wind's direction. Even an eruption in the Highlands can affect the air quality in Reykjavík if the winds are unfavorable, causing respiratory problems in the young, elderly, and those who are prone to them.

It is often recommended that people remain inside with the windows closed on days where the toxicity levels are particularly high.

You can see any warnings about eruptions and air quality on the Icelandic weather website.

Though the threat to human life in an Icelandic eruption is very low, their wider impacts can still be enormous. Eruptions in Iceland are major world events that can lead to dramatic consequences, even hundreds of miles away.

The elements brought up from the depths of the earth in these eruptions, for example, can poison crops and livestock, thus crippling those who make a living off the land. Holuhraun was blamed for the mass death of thousands of sheep across the country in 2015, which seriously threatened many Icelandic farmers' livelihoods.

The ash clouds produced by Iceland’s volcanoes can also wreak havoc. As was seen in 2010 when Eyjafjallajökull erupted, flights were grounded across Europe, causing noticeable harm to the economy. This, however, was a relatively minor consequence compared to previous ash clouds. Laki’s eruption in 1784, for example, created one that was far more catastrophic.

It went right across Europe, causing dense fogs that shut down ports, leading to intense food shortages, and brought such heat that most foods went quickly rancid anyway. It also poisoned those who worked outside; one of Iceland’s closest neighbors, Great Britain, lost an estimated 23,000 people to the gases.

The consequences were even more dramatic in France; its impact on the country’s climate caused famines so terrible that many historians consider Laki one of the French Revolution's driving catalysts. In Egypt, meanwhile, the eruption lowered temperatures, leading to a lack of rainfall, a dried-up Nile, and the loss of a sixth of the country’s population.

All in all, up to six million people were killed as a consequence of Laki.

What was Iceland’s Worst Eruption?       

The most catastrophic Icelandic eruption in terms of human life was undoubtedly the aforementioned 1784 eruption of Laki. It has an impact on the climate and health of the globe. It almost tore the nation of Iceland apart.

Due to the sheer volume of ash, crops across the country were rendered entirely inedible, and the rivers poisoned. Half of all livestock was wiped out, and a third of Icelanders lost their lives to the ensuing famine. A further third left the country, most emigrating to North America in hopes of a prosperous new life far from what appeared to be a dying island.

• See also: The History of Iceland

How does Iceland use its Volcanoes? 

Though the threat of an eruption and concern for its consequences are constant parts of the Icelandic psyche, without the volcano systems and their geothermal energy, Iceland would not be half the country it is today.

Much of Iceland’s economy and infrastructure rely on the geothermal forces at work here. The vast majority of hot water in the country is pumped directly from the earth to people’s faucets and radiators, allowing for cheap, environmentally-friendly heating. Vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown year-round in greenhouses, allowing fresh world produce even in the dead of winter.

Iceland also produces about 30% of its electricity at geothermal power stations; as the rest is hydroelectric, Iceland is one of the world’s few countries that almost entirely uses renewable energy sources. However, this does not mean that the potential of Icelandic volcanoes is always used for good; heavy industry, particularly aluminum smelting, is slowly increasing in Iceland as foreign entities see the potential in such a great and free-flowing source of heat.

Of course, Iceland’s tourism industry is also heavily reliant on its volcanoes; after all, you can’t be ‘the Land of Ice and Fire’ without the forces of both at work.

Volcano Tourism in Iceland      

Many credit the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull with Iceland’s recent boom in tourism. As it tangled the tongues of newscasters around the world, millions were shown footage of this country at its most raw, dramatic, and beautiful and were inspired to witness it further.

Therefore, it is little wonder that much of the tour industry has built up around exploring volcanoes and volcanic regions. These excursions come in a vast variety of forms; some are guided sightseeing tours, such as this trip around the Reykjanes Peninsula, where you will get to hear local stories about the region, whereas others involve more adventure.

This super jeep tour will take you to some of the craters of North Iceland from the village of Husavík and includes a caving component where you can learn even more about the processes that occur during volcanic eruptions. Meanwhile, this flightseeing tour will let you see Grímsvötn crater, beneath the enormous Vatnajökull glacier, from an unmatched aerial perspective.

However, the most unique of all volcano tours in Iceland is conducted in no other country; the Into the Volcano tour allows you to descend into the vast, brightly colored magma chamber of a dormant volcano using a lift. It is incredibly rare for volcanoes to cool in a way that makes this possible, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those seeking Iceland’s nature at its most magnificent.

It should be noted, however, that the vast majority of tours in Iceland will include, in one way or another, volcanoes. The country has so many of them that they are inescapable. All Snæfellsnes tours, for example, are conducted in the shadow of the magnificent Snæfellsjökull volcano. Throughout all excursions around Lake Mývatn, you will be able to see parts of the Krafla system, and Highland hikes will expose you to many more.

Particularly the Fimmvorðuháls hiking trail runs through the lava created by the most recent eruption at Eyjafjallajökull. Here, you can find two of the newest craters in Iceland, Magni, and Móði.

The Top Nine Most Famous Volcanoes in Iceland