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Iceland contains some fascinating volcanoes. The volcanism on Iceland is attributed to the combination of Mid Atlantic Ridge activity and hot spot activity. Eruptions occur about every 5-10 years. The Mid Atlantic ridge is visible on land in Iceland and gives an indication of volcanic activity not normally observed.
Almost 60% of the world's regional fissure eruptions have been in Iceland
Iceland is one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth. It is estimated that 1/3 of the lava erupted since 1500 A.D. was produced in Iceland. Iceland has 35 volcanoes that have erupted in the last 10,000 years. On average, a volcano erupts about every 5 years. Eleven volcanoes have erupted between 1900 and 1998: Krafla, Askja, Grimsvotn, Loki-Fogrufjoll, Bardarbunga, Kverkfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hekla, Katla, Surtsey, and Heimaey. Most of the eruptions were from fissures or shield volcanoes and involve the effusion of basaltic lava
The 1783 eruption at Laki was the largest single historic eruption of basaltic lava (12 cubic km). Recent eruptions include the 1974-1984 eruption at Krafla, a brief eruption at Hekla in 1991 and again on February 26 2000 and three eruptions at Grimsvotn, in 1996, 1998 and 2004. |
