Iceland is the land of ice and fire, amidst the stunning landscape. The term fire is used for the abundance of volcanic systems present in this colorful terrain. 

Iceland has 32 volcanic systems which always bring something fascinating for the enthusiasts and experts to watch out for on our volcano tours. The Bárðarbunga eruption ended on 28th February 2015. After this eruption, there was not any significant volcanic eruption until March 2021. 

When considering life in Iceland, Geothermal activity is its essential part. Without these activities, there won’t be any geothermal pools or hot springs.  

Is There A Threat Of A Volcano Erupting Presently?

There is constantly a slight danger of an eruption. However, they are not often like Eyjafjallajökull. Since the onset of the 20th century, there have been 43 eruptions. The most active volcanoes in Iceland are Hekla, Grímsvötn in Vatnajökull glacier, Askja and Krafla. Roughly, Iceland has an eruption every four years.

Visiting Iceland, which is packed with many active volcanoes, sounds scary, right? Here are 5 most dangerous volcanoes in Iceland which you should definitely stay away from. 

• Kayla

Iceland’s most destructive volcano, Kayla, explodes when it erupts. It is set in Mýrdalsjökull glacier, which stands next to Eyjafjallajökull. It generally erupts every 13-95 years. However, it has not exploded so that we can have a glimpse of it in these 100 years. It is apparent there must have been a few minor eruptions that did not crack the glacier’s surface though.

The Kayla exploded last in 1918. It was bigger than the Eyjafjallajökull eruption of 2010. The southern coast of Iceland was expanded by 5 kilometers because of the laharic flood deposits. The floods that follow Katla’s huge eruptions are enormous. 

In the 1755 eruption, the peak had estimated 200,000 – 400,000 m3/s which is the collective average release of the Yangtze, Nile, Amazon Rivers and Mississippi that is just about 266,000m3/s!

Katla’s name means a kettle. This describes this ever-ready volcano! The terrible reality about Katla is that it is one of the biggest volcanic sources of carbon dioxide on earth. It is believed to be accountable for up to 4% of entire global volcanic carbon dioxide emissions. Thankfully it has shifted more into minor eruptions in recent times. From its settlement in 1918, only 16-20 eruptions have occurred, but only small ones.

• Mount Fagradalsfjal

Fagradalsfjall is a tuya volcano set in the Last Glacial Period on the Reykjanes Peninsula which is around 40 kilometers from Reykjavík, Iceland.

After many earthquakes, the most recent volcano eruption is near Mount Fagradalsfjal. This has been active for the first time in 6.000 years. This long-dormant volcano was awakened with an eruption on 10th March 2021. This is now known as Geldingadalsgos on 19th March 2021.

Fagradalsfjall is furthermore the name for the wider volcanic system encircling an area 5 kilometers wide and 15 kilometers long between the Krýsuvík systems and Svartsengi.

The lava busted out of a small fissure in the ground. There was a moderate fountain with the entire eruption area acquiring less than 1km2. Relying on how much magma is left beneath, the lava has been fountaining for many days. This might go on for weeks.

According to the lava flow patterns and available historical data, when identical seismic activity had occurred on the peninsula, intermittent eruptions kept going for over 100 years. Since the volcano is still active, you need to stay away. However, you can have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go on a guided tour and watch it yourself!

• Hekla

Hekla is amongst the 2000 legal female names in Iceland! It is the volcano that emits most often. In the last 70 years, it has erupted six times.

In the middle ages, it was supposed to be the opening to hell. However, we all understand that is not real. It was just bad marketing.

After erupting in 2000, volcanologists have kept a close eye on it. It has shown many indications of erupting. It is believed the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull’s explosion cleared out the magma chambers for the nearby volcanoes as well.

• Öræfajökull

This volcano is under a glacier. Such was its effect that it was in the news a couple of months ago. Scientists are monitoring it closely since it appears it will explode very soon. It is listed in 5 most dangerous volcanoes in Iceland. 

The glacier under which it lies encompasses the tallest peak of Iceland, which is 2,110 meters high. It also occupies a portion of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. The volcano’s caldera had declined more than 20 meters! Öræfajökull isn’t a legal female name in Iceland.

• Reykjanes

Reykjanes volcano is a vast fissure system on the peninsula in SW Iceland. It is situated where the Mid Atlantic Ridge rises onto land. 

The surprising, rugged landscape of Reykjanes has lava fields, volcanic craters, caves, geothermal waters, and hot springs, an extension to an assortment of museums, restaurants, churches, and lighthouses.

On the Reykjanes peninsula, the junction between the American tectonic plates and the European of the earth’s crust is extra noticeable and comprehensible than anywhere else.

Final Words- Why Is Iceland A Centre for Volcanoes?

Icelanders have the habit of seeing earthquakes as the entire island is a volcanic hotspot. Iceland is amongst the most volcanically active nations in the world. This is due to its position on the globe. 

The Earth is composed of tectonic plates. Between these tectonic plates are the ridges. The Mid-Atlantic ridge spans from north to south along the Atlantic Ocean and through the middle of Iceland. This implies that Iceland is both on the Eurasian tectonic plates and North-American tectonic plates. It is being pulled apart.

Therefore every year, Iceland is being pulled apart by about 2 centimeters, which is almost an inch. This gives rise to volcanic actions. It sets a vast area with several eruptive rifts, hot springs, mud pools and lava fields.

There are nearly 130 volcanoes in Iceland. Out of these 130 volcanoes, 30 are active. Besides, about 33% of all magma that has flowed on land in the last millennium streamed in Iceland.