Volcanism & Geothermal Energy
Island of Fire
Iceland lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, exactly where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart — 2 cm per year. Additionally, the island sits above a mantle plume (hotspot), which pushes hot magma up from 2,900 km deep. This double geological peculiarity makes Iceland one of the most volcanically active places on Earth — and the only place where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is above water.
The Main Volcanoes
| Volcano | Height | Last Eruption | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyjafjallajökull | 1,651 m | 2010 | Disrupted European air traffic. Ash cloud stranded 10 million passengers |
| Hekla | 1,491 m | 2000 | Called "Gateway to Hell" in the Middle Ages. One of Iceland's most active volcanoes. "Overdue" since 2000 |
| Katla | 1,512 m | 1918 | Under the Mýrdalsjökull. Long overdue eruption — would trigger glacial floods |
| Fagradalsfjall | 385 m | 2021–2023 | First eruption on Reykjanes in 800 years. "Tourist volcano" |
| Grímsvötn | 1,725 m | 2011 | Under the Vatnajökull. Iceland's most frequent eruptor |
| Krafla | 818 m | 1975–1984 | 9 eruptions in 9 years (Krafla fires). Geothermal power plant at the edge! |
| Snæfellsjökull | 1,446 m | ca. 200 AD | Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" |
| Askja | 1,516 m | 1961 | Huge crater with warm bathing lake (Víti). In the highlands |
Geothermal Energy — Iceland's Superpower
The volcanic activity has a huge advantage: Iceland generates 100% of its electricity from renewable sources — 73% from hydropower and 27% from geothermal energy. Hot water is pumped directly from the earth and heats 90% of all buildings in Iceland. Heating costs are minimal (about 100€/month for an apartment), and greenhouses near Reykjavík even grow bananas, tomatoes, and cucumbers thanks to geothermal energy.
The Hellisheiði power plant near Reykjavík is the third largest geothermal power plant in the world and uses the heat of the Hengill volcanic system. It produces 303 MW of electricity and 133 MW of heat — enough for all of Reykjavík. Visitors can visit the attached museum (Geothermal Exhibition, free of charge).
