Iceland's Most Famous Modern Eruption
Eyjafjallajökull, whose name translates to "island mountain glacier," became one of the world's most recognized Icelandic names in 2010 when its eruption brought European air travel to a standstill. This ice-covered stratovolcano rises 1,651 meters (5,417 feet) above sea level in southern Iceland, positioned to the north of the village of Skógar and west of the larger Mýrdalsjökull glacier. The ice cap covering the volcano encompasses approximately 100 square kilometers, significantly reduced from its size of over 80 square kilometers in previous decades.
While Eyjafjallajökull ranks among Iceland's smaller ice caps, its geological significance far exceeds its size. The volcano sits within Iceland's eastern volcanic zone, part of a chain of volcanoes stretching across the island. Its nearest volcanic neighbors include Katla to the northeast and Eldfell on Heimaey to the southwest. Geologists believe Eyjafjallajökull and Katla are related, as eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull have historically been followed by eruptions of the more powerful Katla.
The 2010 Eruption That Stopped Europe
The 2010 eruption sequence began with months of increased seismic activity. On March 20, 2010, after 187 years of dormancy, lava fountains began erupting through a 500-meter-long vent in the ice-free Fimmvörðuháls Pass, which separates Eyjafjallajökull from Mýrdalsjökull. This initial phase caused relatively little disruption, forcing the evacuation of only about 500 local residents and creating a spectacular display of lava fountains shooting hundreds of meters into the air.
The situation changed dramatically on April 14, 2010, when eruptions began in the volcano's ice-covered central summit caldera. As the eruption broke through the ice, meltwater flooded back into the crater where it met the bubbling magma. This rapid cooling caused the magma to shatter into extremely fine, jagged ash particles. Within hours, massive plumes of volcanic ash rose 8 to 9 kilometers into the atmosphere, carried eastward by the jet stream toward the Faroe Islands, Norway, and eventually across much of northern and western Europe.
The eruption, though relatively modest at VEI-3 on the volcanic explosivity index, had outsized global impacts. Between April 14 and 20, approximately 20 countries closed their airspace to commercial jet traffic. The microscopic particles of hard volcanic rock in the ash cloud could cause serious damage to aircraft engines, potentially causing them to stall. An estimated 10 million travelers were affected, with airlines losing approximately 130 million pounds per day while airspace remained closed.
The eruption continued intermittently through May 2010, causing additional waves of flight cancellations before finally ceasing on June 23, 2010. In total, the eruption produced approximately 270 million cubic meters of tephra, causing ash fallout across central southern Iceland and parts of continental Europe. The event lasted 95 days and changed international standards for airspace closure due to volcanic ash.
A History of Powerful Eruptions
Historical records document eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull in approximately 920, 1612 or 1613, and 1821 to 1823, with each major eruption followed by activity at Katla within months or years. The 1821-1823 eruption proved particularly destructive, lasting over a year with intermittent explosive and effusive activity. The ash from this eruption contained high levels of fluoride, which in sufficient doses can damage the bone structure of livestock and humans. Farmers in the Eyjafjörður area attributed the deaths of cattle and sheep to fluoride poisoning from the volcanic emissions.
The volcano's pattern of erupting every few centuries, combined with its potential to trigger Katla eruptions, makes Eyjafjallajökull a closely monitored feature of Iceland's volcanic landscape. Following the 2010 eruption, infrasound sensors were installed around the volcano to detect early signs of future activity. Scientists continue to watch the volcano carefully, aware that any resumption of activity could have significant impacts both locally and internationally.
Glacier Features and Outlet Streams
The ice cap covering Eyjafjallajökull feeds several outlet glaciers, with the main flows extending to the north. Gígjökull flows into the lake Lónið, while Steinsholtsjökull descends into Steinsholtslón. These outlet glaciers have been retreating in recent decades, responding to rising temperatures and revealing new features of the volcanic landscape beneath.
The summit features a crater 3 to 4 kilometers in diameter, open to the north. This caldera remains partially filled with ice, though the thickness varies depending on volcanic activity and climate conditions. During eruptions, the interaction between the ice cap and volcanic heat creates dramatic jökulhlaups, or glacial outburst floods, as meltwater accumulates and then suddenly releases from beneath the glacier.
The 2010 eruption created ice cauldrons on the glacier's surface where heat from below melted the ice, and meltwater emerged in powerful pulses. These debris-charged floods swept down outlet glaciers, carrying volcanic material and ice blocks toward the lowlands. The dramatic footage of these events, combined with the international flight disruptions, made Eyjafjallajökull one of the most documented volcanic eruptions in history.
Visiting Eyjafjallajökull
The glacier is visible from Iceland's Ring Road, particularly from the south coast between Skógar and Vík. The massive ice cap dominates the northern skyline, with its smooth white surface contrasting against the green coastal plains and black volcanic beaches below. On clear days, the glacier's outline is unmistakable, a reminder of the ice that once covered much more of Iceland.
The Fimmvörðuháls Pass, where the 2010 eruption began, has become a popular hiking destination. The pass connects the lush valleys around Skógar with the highland wilderness of Þórsmörk, offering hikers a chance to see the new craters and lava flows created during the eruption. The landscape here remains raw and fresh, with minimal vegetation establishing itself on the dark volcanic rock.
For those wanting to learn more about the eruption and its impacts, the LAVA Centre in Hvolsvöllur provides interactive exhibits detailing Iceland's volcanic activity, including comprehensive coverage of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. The center uses cutting-edge technology to help visitors understand the forces that shape Iceland and the global impacts of volcanic activity.
