Check volcanoes cataloged in Iceland, the map and available official statuses.
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Volcanic activity in Iceland today
Map of volcanoes in Iceland
Volcanic alerts in Iceland today
No national alert status is shown because this country’s competent authority is not yet operationally connected to GDE.
EarthSentra does not issue its own volcano alerts. A volcano’s presence in the Smithsonian GVP catalog does not mean it is active, erupting, or under alert.
Historical volcanic eruptions in Iceland
A selection of documented notable historical eruptions for volcanoes linked to Iceland.
87 displayed records · Smithsonian GVP · Snapshot retrieved: 2026-10-21 06:17:33 UTC
| Start | End | Volcano / country | VEI | GVP certainty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-05-21 | 2011-05-25 | Grimsvotn SW part of the caldera 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
| 2010-03-20 | 2010-06-23 | Eyjafjallajokull ENE flank (Fimmvörduháls) and summit 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
| 2004-11-01 | 2004-11-04 | Grimsvotn SW and east sides of caldera 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 2000-02-26 | 2000-03-08 | Hekla SW flank 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 1998-12-18 | 1998-12-28 | Grimsvotn South caldera wall 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 1996-09-30 | 1996-11-06 | Grimsvotn Gjálp (fissure N of caldera rim) 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3? | Confirmed |
| 1991-01-17 | 1991-03-11 | Hekla Summit, SW, SE & NE flank fissures 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 1980-08-17 | 1980-08-20 | Hekla Summit, SW and NE flanks 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 1973-01-23 | 1973-06-28 | Vestmannaeyjar Heimaey (Eldfell) 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 1970-05-05 | 1970-07-05 | Hekla Sudurgigar, Hlidargigar, Oldugigar 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 1963-11-08 | 1967-06-05 | Vestmannaeyjar Surtsey 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 1947-03-29 | 1948-04-21 | Hekla Hraungigur, Axlargigur, Toppgigur 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
| 1918-10-12 | 1918-11-04 | Katla South side of caldera 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4+ | Confirmed |
| 1902-12-16 ±15 days | 1904-01-12 | Thordarhyrna Grímsvötn and Thordarhyrna 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
| 1875-01-01 | 1875-10-17 | Askja Öskjuvatn Caldera, Viti, Sveinagja 🇮🇸 Iceland | 5 | Confirmed |
| 1873-01-08 | 1873-08-16 ±15 days | Grimsvotn 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
| 1860-05-08 | 1860-05-27 | Katla 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
| 1845-09-02 | 1846-04-05 [?] | Hekla Summit, SW and NE flanks 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
| 1830-03-13 [?] | 1831-03-16 [?] ±15 days | Reykjanes Reykjaneshryggur (Eldeyjarbodi) 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3 | Confirmed |
| 1823-06-26 | 1823-07-23 | Katla Arcuate fissure in south part of caldera 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3? | Confirmed |
| 1783-05-01 [<] | 1783-08-15 ±60 days | Reykjanes Reykjaneshryggur (Nyey) 🇮🇸 Iceland | 3^ | Confirmed |
| 1783-05 [?] | 1785-05-26 [?] | Grimsvotn Lakagigar (Skaftar) and Grímsvötn 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4+ | Confirmed |
| 1766-04-05 | 1768-05 | Hekla Bjallagigar 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
| 1755-10-17 | 1756-02-13 | Katla E-W fissure in center of caldera 🇮🇸 Iceland | 5? | Confirmed |
| 1727-08-03 | 1728-05-01 ±30 days | Oraefajokull Caldera, west flank (to 1100 m) 🇮🇸 Iceland | 4 | Confirmed |
This hub highlights confirmed eruptions with VEI 3 or higher when available. Smaller or uncertain eruptions are not automatically presented as major events. The historical source is Smithsonian GVP.
Volcanic setting of Iceland
Iceland sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and is also influenced by a mantle hotspot. Volcanic zones on the Reykjanes Peninsula and around the central highlands have different types of activity. A listed volcano is not necessarily erupting, and its geological history should be distinguished from any official alert.
How to read this volcanic monitor
The map uses catalog information provided through EarthSentra’s integrated sources. Historical eruption entries reflect documented past events, sometimes with uncertain dates or missing Volcanic Explosivity Index values. They are not forecasts, and the history displayed may be a selection of the full scientific record.
Official alerts and safety information
Use the national geological and civil protection agencies for current hazard levels, exclusion zones and evacuation guidance. EarthSentra’s alert count includes only the monitoring feeds connected to its system; a zero count or missing national feed does not establish that the area is safe.
Additional sources
Consult the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program for geological context and the global volcano monitor for a worldwide comparison. Always give priority to current local official warnings.
