Hekla Volcán

Updated: 29 oct. 2025 02:04 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

Islandia, 63.99°N / -19.67°W

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Summit height: 1491 m (4,892 ft)

Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)

Last update: 24 oct 2025 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

Hekla in eruption in March 2000 with the large black lava flow in the foreground from that eruption.

1491-m-high Hekla is one of Iceland's most prominent, most known and active volcanoes. It has frequent eruptions that start with an explosive onset producing eruption plumes, then lava fountains and culminate in large lava flows. Most of the volcano's flanks are covered by extensive lava flows from historical eruptions, dating back to 1104 AD.

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Typical eruption style: Explosive and effusive.
Erupciones del volcán Hekla: 1104 (large, Plinian eruption), 1158, 1206, 1222, 1300, 1341, 1389, 1440(?), 1510, 1554, 1597, 1636-37, 1693, 1725, 1766-68, 1845-46, 1878, 1913, 1947-48, 1970, 1980, 1981, 1991, 2000

Latest nearby earthquakes

Fecha y hora	Mag / Prof.	Distancia / Ubicación
29 oct 01:51 (Reykjavik)	1.2 1.1 km	23 km al este	Iceland: 6.0 km N of Álftavatn	Más
martes, 28 octubre 2025 GMT (4 sismos)
28 oct 23:35 (Reykjavik)	0.7 1.1 km	1 km al oeste	Iceland: 1.0 km W of Hekla	Más
28 oct 16:13 (Reykjavik)	1.8 0.1 km	25 km al oeste	3.7 km E of Árnes	Más
28 oct 07:11 (Reykjavik)	0.7 2 km	26 km al sureste	Iceland: 2.5 km NE of Álftavatn	Más
28 oct 05:00 (Reykjavik)	0.5 4 km	10.2 km al sur	Iceland: 2.0 km S of Vatnafjöll	Más
lunes, 27 octubre 2025 GMT (2 sismos)
27 oct 15:50 (Tiempo Universal)	0.8 0.6 km	29 km al este	1.3 km SSW of Landmannalaugar	Más
27 oct 11:46 (Tiempo Universal)	1.1 4 km	19 km al este	9.7 km NNW of Álftavatn	Más
viernes, 24 octubre 2025 GMT (1 sismo)
24 oct 16:01 (Reykjavik)	1.5 0.1 km	26 km al oeste	3.4 km E of Árnes	Más
martes, 21 octubre 2025 GMT (1 sismo)
21 oct 12:34 (Reykjavik)	1.6 8.6 km	9.6 km al sur	3.7 km WSW of Vatnafjöll	Más

View recent quakes

Background

Hekla is located near the southern end of the eastern rift zone. It sits on a rift-transform junction, and has produced basaltic andesites, in contrast to the tholeiitic basalts typical of Icelandic rift zone volcanoes. Hekla's tephras are generally rich in flourine, which is very hazardous to grazing animals.
The elongated shape of the volcano is caused by a 5.5-km-long fissure, Heklugjá, that cuts across the volcano and is often active along its full length during major eruptions. Repeated such eruptions, oblique to most rifting structures in the eastern volcanic zone, have created Hekla's elongated ENE-WSW profile.
Frequent large explosive eruptions during historical times have deposited tephra throughout Iceland and provide important time markers that can be used to date eruptions from other volcanoes in Iceland.

Hekla Volcano Photos

Cascada de Gjárfoss en el desfiladero basáltico de Gjáin, cerca del volcán Hekla, Islandia (Photo: Janka)

Los contornos del monte Hekla materializándose en la brumosa luz del atardecer detrás de una cresta volcánica. Cerca de Hrauneyjalón, límite sur de las Tierras Altas de I...

More photos

Erupciones volcánicas significativas: Hekla volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Hekla has had at least 65 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 23 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Hekla volcano since around 1000 AD. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Hekla can be found on the news page of Hekla volcano.

Fecha	Nota	VEI	Fallecidos	Daños
2000 feb 26 - mar 8	SW flank Obs. históricas/documentos	3		desconocido
1991 ene 17 - mar 11	Summit, SW, SE & NE flank fissures Obs. históricas/documentos	3		desconocido
1981 abr 9 - abr 16	Summit and north flank (900 and 740 m) Obs. históricas/documentos	2		desconocido
1980 ago 17 - ago 20	Summit, SW and NE flanks Obs. históricas/documentos	3		desconocido
1980 ago 17 (erupción 1980 ago 17 - ago 20)	Obs. históricas/documentos	3		ligero	Información
1980 ago 17: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1970 may 5 - jul 5	Sudurgigar, Hlidargigar, Oldugigar Obs. históricas/documentos	3		desconocido
1970 may 5 (erupción 1970 may 5 - jul 5)	Obs. históricas/documentos	3		ligero	Información
1970 may 5: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1947 mar 29 - 1948 abr 21	Hraungigur, Axlargigur, Toppgigur Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido
1947 nov 2 (erupción 1947 mar 29 - 1948 abr 21)	Obs. históricas/documentos	4	1	desconocido	Información
1947 nov 2: A scientist filming the eruption was killed by a glowing block which rolled off the front of a lava flow, killing him instantly. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1913 abr 25 - may 18	E & NE of Hekla (Mundafit, Lambafit) Obs. históricas/documentos	2		desconocido
1878 feb 27 - abr	East of Hekla (Krakagigar) Obs. históricas/documentos	2		desconocido
1845 sep 2 - 1846 abr 5 ?	Summit, SW and NE flanks Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido
1845 sep 2 (erupción 1845 sep 2 - 1846 abr 5 ?)	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		ligero	Información
1845 sep 2: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1766 abr 5 - 1768 may	Bjallagigar Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido
1766 abr 5 (erupción 1766 abr 5 - 1768 may)	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		ligero	Información
1766 abr 5: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1725 abr 2	SW, south and east of Hekla Obs. históricas/documentos	1?		desconocido
1693 AD feb 13 - sep 14 ?	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido
1693 AD feb 13 (erupción 1693 AD feb 13 - sep 14 ?)	Tsunami registrado Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido	Información
1693 AD feb 13: Latter (1981) lists as an eruption that caused a tsunami. Cited references #1686 Latter, J.H. (1981): Tsunamis of volcanic origin; summary of causes with particular reference to Krakatoa, 1883, Bulletin Volcanologique, Vol. 44, p. 467-490. #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1636 AD may 8 - 1637 jun	Obs. históricas/documentos	3		desconocido
1636 AD may 15 (erupción 1636 AD may 8 - 1637 jun)	Obs. históricas/documentos	3		ligero	Información
1636 AD may 15: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1597 AD ene 3 - jun	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido
1597 AD ene 3 (erupción 1597 AD ene 3 - jun)	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		ligero	Información
1597 AD ene 3: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1554 AD may - jun	SW of Hekla (Raudubjallar) Obs. históricas/documentos	2?		desconocido
1510 AD oct 15 (erupción 1510 AD jul 25)	Obs. históricas/documentos	4	100-1,000 (*)	desconocido	Información
1510 AD oct 15: No confirmed fatalities, but likely cause of famine in northern Iceland. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1510 AD jul 25	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido
1510 AD jul 25 (erupción 1510 AD jul 25)	Obs. históricas/documentos	4	1	desconocido	Información
1510 AD jul 25: Man killed by block 20 km from volcano. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1440 ? AD	SE of Hekla	?		desconocido
1389 AD dic 1 ±30 d. - 1390	Summit ridge, west flank (Raudoldur) Obs. históricas/documentos	3		desconocido
1389 AD dic 1 (erupción 1389 AD dic 1 ±30 d. - 1390)	Obs. históricas/documentos	3		ligero	Información
1389 AD dic 1: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1341 AD may 19	Obs. históricas/documentos	3		desconocido
1341 AD may 19 (erupción 1341 AD may 19)	Obs. históricas/documentos	3		ligero	Información
1341 AD may 19: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1300 AD jul 11 - 1301 jul	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido
1300 AD jul 11 (erupción 1300 AD jul 11 - 1301 jul)	Obs. históricas/documentos	4	600	desconocido	Información
1300 AD jul 11: Tephra-fall associated with eruption caused famine, killing 600 in the winter following the eruption. (reference #9675) Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1222 AD	Obs. históricas/documentos	2		desconocido
1206 AD dic 4	Obs. históricas/documentos	3		desconocido
1206 AD dic 4 (erupción 1206 AD dic 4)	Obs. históricas/documentos	2		ligero	Información
1206 AD dic 4: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1158 AD ene 19	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		desconocido
1158 AD ene 19 (erupción 1158 AD ene 19)	Obs. históricas/documentos	4		ligero	Información
1158 AD ene 19: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1104 AD oct 15 ±45 d.	Obs. históricas/documentos	5		desconocido
1104 AD oct 15 (erupción 1104 AD oct 15 ±45 d.)	Obs. históricas/documentos	5		ligero	Información
1104 AD oct 15: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1050 ±500 y. AD	Austurhraun	?		desconocido

(*) Números estimados

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Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Fuentes: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Hekla Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Hekla volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Hekla occurred in 2000.

+How often does Hekla volcano erupt?

Since 1104 AD, Hekla volcano has had at least 23 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 40 years.
Many eruptions of Hekla have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 30 out of 921 years until now. In other words, Hekla has been active at least one in 30.7 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Hekla is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Hekla volcano at present?

Hekla volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 8 eruptions, and been active during 8 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Hekla has been in eruption one in 15.8 years on average. The last eruption was in 2000 and ended 26 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Hekla volcano?

The largest eruption of Hekla volcano in historic times occurred in 1104 AD. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 5 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Últimas imágenes satelitales

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Latest satellite images

Hekla Volcán Mapas

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).