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Grímsvötn Volcano

Updated: Jul 1, 2025 15:29 GMT -
Caldera
Iceland, 64.42°N / -17.33°W
Summit height: 1725 m (5,659 ft)
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 22 Jan 2025 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)

Grímsvötn is Iceland's most frequently active volcano, probably because it is located on the center of the active NE rift zone of Iceland. Most of the volcano is hidden beneath the giant glacier of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier.

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Typical eruption style: Effusive, explosive magma-water/ice reaction. 
Produces notorious and frequent floods of melt-water bursts from the glacier (jökulhlaups).
Grímsvötn volcano eruptions: ca. 1310, 1332, 1341, 1354(?), ca. 1370, ca. 1390, ca. 1430, ca. 1450, ca. 1470, ca. 1490, ca. 1510, ca. 1530, 1598, 1603, 1619, 1629, 1638, 1659, 1681, 1684-85, 1706, 1716, 1725, 1753, 1768, 1774, 1783-85 (Laki fissure eruption: the largest historically known effusive eruption), 1794(?), 1796(?), 1816, 1823, 1838, 1854, 1861(?), 1867, 1873, 1883, 1887-89, 1891-92, 1897, 1902-04, 1922, 1933, 1934, 1934, 1938, 1939(?), 1941(?), 1945, 1948(?), 1954, 1972(?), 1983, 1984(?), 1996, 1998, 2004 (Nov.), 2011 (21-26 May)

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location
Jul 1, 06:39 am (Universal Time)
1.6

0.3 km
23 km (14 mi) to the N 8.1 km E of Bárðarbunga Info
Monday, June 30, 2025 GMT (6 quakes)
Jun 30, 10:27 pm (Reykjavik)
0.7

20 km
19 km (12 mi) to the N Iceland: 17.6 km ESE of Bárðarbunga Info
Jun 30, 10:27 pm (Reykjavik)
0.6

25 km
17 km (10.8 mi) to the N Iceland: 16.3 km ESE of Bárðarbunga Info
Jun 30, 10:26 pm (Reykjavik)
0.7

16 km
20 km (13 mi) to the N Iceland: 17.4 km ESE of Bárðarbunga Info
Jun 30, 10:25 pm (Universal Time)
0.7

16 km
21 km (13 mi) to the N 17.0 km ESE of Bárðarbunga Info
Jun 30, 09:47 pm (Universal Time)
1.8

3.2 km
28 km (17 mi) to the N 1.6 km N of Bárðarbunga Info
Jun 30, 09:22 pm (Reykjavik)
2.8

1.1 km
27 km (17 mi) to the N Iceland  I FELT IT Info
Sunday, June 29, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Jun 29, 10:27 am (Universal Time)
2.0

1.4 km
24 km (15 mi) to the N 6.2 km E of Bárðarbunga Info
Thursday, June 26, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Jun 26, 10:24 pm (Reykjavik)
3.1

1.1 km
29 km (18 mi) to the N Iceland  I FELT IT Info

Background

Grímsvötn volcano has a 6x8 km large caldera, whose southern rim is exposed. The caldera contains a lake of liquid water, due to the thermal energy from the volcano. The lake is covered by the ice of the glacier, but during eruptions or times of increased hydrothermal activity from the volcano, the amount of melt water and the pressure of the lake against the ice above becomes strong enough to lift the ice dam and pour out at the South side of the glacier in devastating floods known as jökulhlaups.
During eruptions, the overlying part of the glacier is often melted through, creating a giant hole in the ice permitting breathtaking views from above onto the lake, from where ash and steam can escape.

Fissures and the Laki fissure eruption in 1783:
The volcano's structure seems to be dominated by NE-SW trending fissures that correspond to the rift zone. Eruptions from these fissures can occur well beyond the extent of the glacier, such as the huge eruption in 1783, known as the Laki fissure eruption.
It is the largest known effusive eruption that has occurred on earth during the past millennia. About 15 cubic kilometers of basaltic lava flows were erupted from a 27-km long fissure over a period of 7 months. Accompanied by enormous amounts of suphur dioxide and fluoride gas, the eruption caused wide-spread crop damage, killed a large number of lifestock and caused a severe famine on Iceland. As a result, one fifth of Iceland's population was killed. Some consequences of the eruption were even noticed in other parts of the world: Volcanic fog (the gas cloud from the eruption) was drifting over Europe and parts of Asia, altering summer temperatures. This eruption was the first one that brought some scientists to the idea that volcanoes can impact the world's climate.

Background
Grímsnes is a relatively small volcanic system located SE of Thingvallavatn lake east of an en echelon group of volcanic fields extending across the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Grímsnes lava flows cover 54 sq km and were erupted from a group of 11 fissures that produced a series of NE-SW-trending crater rows. The eruptions of the basaltic Grímsnes lavas were restricted to a relatively short interval between about 6500 and 5500 years ago.

---
Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institute

Significant volcanic eruptions: Grímsvötn volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Grímsvötn has had at least 76 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 37 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 10 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Grímsvötn volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Grímsvötn volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Grímsvötn can be found on the news page of Grímsvötn volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
2011 May 21 - May 25SW part of the caldera
Historical obs./docs.
4
2004 Nov 1 - Nov 4SW and east sides of caldera
Historical obs./docs.
3
1998 Dec 18 - Dec 28South caldera wall
Historical obs./docs.
3
1996 Sep 30 - Nov 6Gjálp (fissure N of caldera rim)
Historical obs./docs.
3?
1996 Sep 30
(eruption 1996 Sep 30 - Nov 6)
Historical obs./docs.
3
light
Info
?? 1984 Aug 20 or before
Uncertain Eruption
?
1983 May 28 - Jun 2Near south caldera wall
Historical obs./docs.
2
?? 1972 Mar 16 ±15 d. - Apr 16 ±15 d.
Uncertain Eruption
?
?? 1954 Jul 16
Uncertain Eruption
1?
1954 Jan 15 ±45 d.
Historical obs./docs.
1
?? 1948 Feb
Uncertain Eruption
?
?? 1945 Sep 25 ?
Uncertain Eruption
1?
?? 1941 Apr - Aug
Uncertain Eruption
?
?? 1939 Jun
Uncertain Eruption
?
1938 May8 km N of Svartibunki
Historical obs./docs.
1
1934 Dec 21 - Dec 26Volcano Uncertain: Vatnajökull?
1934 Mar 30 - Apr 7Near south caldera wall
Historical obs./docs.
2
1933 Nov 29 ±1 d. - Dec 9 ±1 d.North of Grímsvötn caldera
Historical obs./docs.
1
1922 Sep 29 - Oct 23
Historical obs./docs.
2
1919Volcano Uncertain2?
1910
Historical obs./docs.
?
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.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Grímsvötn Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Grímsvötn volcano?

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+How active is Grímsvötn volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Grímsvötn volcano?

Latest satellite images

grimsvoetn satellite image sat1grimsvoetn satellite image sat2

Grímsvötn Volcano Maps

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).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Grímsvötn volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Wed, 22 Jan 2025, 15:00

Grimsvotn volcano (Iceland) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 15 January-21 January 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that floodwaters from a jökulhlaup originating from Grímsvötn's subglacial lake peaked, likely on 15 January, then began to slowly decrease. The jökulhlaup was over by 20 January; both seismicity and water discharge levels in the Gígjukvísl river had returned to normal. The pressure decrease caused by the water volume loss from the subglacial lake did not trigger volcanic unrest. ... Read all
Wed, 15 Jan 2025, 15:00

Grimsvotn volcano (Iceland) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 8 January-14 January 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

On 13 January the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that a gradual increase in seismic tremor at Grímsvötn had been detected over the previous few days, indicating the likely onset of jökulhlaup originating from the subglacial lake. Floodwaters typically emerge from the base of Skeiðarárjökull glacier, flowing into the Gígjukvísl river. On 15 January tremor recorded on the seismic station at Grímsfjall increased sharply, which is not unusual when a flooding event reaches peak discharge. ... Read all

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