#1Bárðarbunga
Large volcano under Vatnajökull. 2014-15 Holuhraun eruption lasted 6 months. Very active system. Caldera 700m deep.
Iceland Craters & Volcanoes
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Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, so its volcanoes are the reason the island exists. A handful of named centres dominate: Hekla (one of the most active, on the South Coast), Eyjafjallajökull (the 2010 eruption that grounded European flights), Bárðarbunga (the caldera under Vatnajökull behind the 2014–15 Holuhraun eruption) and Snæfell in the east. These are real mountains with glaciers and highland terrain — check safetravel.is and the Icelandic Met Office before you go anywhere near an active one.
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Highland accessOften needs 4×4Iceland’s volcanic centres
The named stratovolcanoes and calderas, with eruption history and access info.
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Share#2Eyjafjallajökull
Famous 2010 eruption that disrupted European flights. Ice-capped stratovolcano. 1,651m high. South Iceland landmark.
#3Hekla
Iceland's most famous volcano. 'Gateway to Hell' in medieval times. Erupts every 10 years on average. Overdue since 2000.
#4Snæfell
Stratovolcano in East Iceland. 1,833m - one of Iceland's highest peaks. Not the Snæfellsjökull on Snæfellsnes.
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Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull sit near the South Coast and can be seen from Route 1 without leaving the car — the safest way to view an active system. Snæfell in the east and Bárðarbunga under Vatnajökull are remote, glacier-capped and highland-access only, usually needing an F-road, a 4×4 and summer conditions. Never approach an erupting or restricted area on your own: when a site is safe to visit, the Icelandic authorities mark routes and set perimeters — follow them exactly. Before any trip near a volcano, check safetravel.is, the Icelandic Met Office and Almannavarnir (Civil Protection) for the current hazard status, and tell someone your route.
Browse volcanoes by region
Iceland’s volcanoes, compared
All 4 named volcanic centres in our dataset, ranked — best-documented first. Tap any name for the full guide. Eruption history and location come from Wikidata and OpenStreetMap.
| Volcano | Region | Elevation | Known for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hekla | South Coast | — | Iceland's most famous volcano. 'Gateway to Hell' in medieval times. Erupts every 10 years on average. Overdue since 2000. |
 | Bárðarbunga | Highlands | — | Large volcano under Vatnajökull. 2014-15 Holuhraun eruption lasted 6 months. Very active system. Caldera 700m deep. |
| Eyjafjallajökull | South Coast | — | Famous 2010 eruption that disrupted European flights. Ice-capped stratovolcano. 1,651m high. South Iceland landmark. |
 | Snæfell | East Iceland | — | Stratovolcano in East Iceland. 1,833m - one of Iceland's highest peaks. Not the Snæfellsjökull on Snæfellsnes. |
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questions
Which Icelandic volcano erupted in 2010?
Eyjafjallajökull, an ice-capped stratovolcano on the South Coast, erupted in spring 2010. The ash plume grounded flights across Europe for days. It is quiet now, but the ice cap and steep terrain still make an unguided ascent risky.
Is Hekla going to erupt?
Hekla is one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes and has historically erupted roughly every 10 years, though it has been quiet since 2000 — which volcanologists consider overdue. It can go from calm to eruption with very little warning, so check the Icelandic Met Office (vedur.is) and safetravel.is before hiking near it.
Can I visit an active volcano in Iceland?
Sometimes, and only when the authorities say it is safe. When an eruption is accessible, the Icelandic authorities set up marked routes and safety perimeters — follow them exactly. Volcanic gas, unstable new lava and sudden fissures are lethal. Always check safetravel.is and Almannavarnir (Civil Protection) for the current status before setting out.
What is Bárðarbunga?
Bárðarbunga is a large volcanic system beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap in the Highlands, with a caldera around 700 m deep. Its 2014–15 Holuhraun eruption was Iceland’s largest lava flow in over 200 years and lasted about six months. It is remote and not a casual visit — the eruption site itself lies under and beyond the ice.
Do I need a guide to see these volcanoes?
For the mountains themselves — yes for any summit or glacier-capped route (Eyjafjallajökull, Snæfell, Bárðarbunga all involve glacier or highland terrain). Some can be viewed from the Ring Road or an F-road without a guide, but always tell someone your plan, check the forecast, and never approach an erupting or restricted area on your own.
How do I check if it’s safe to travel near a volcano?
Check three official sources before you go: safetravel.is (travel safety and current alerts), vedur.is (the Icelandic Met Office — seismic and eruption monitoring), and Almannavarnir / Civil Protection announcements. Road status is on road.is. If any of them flag a hazard or closure, do not go.