Kverkfjöll Volcano
Updated: Nov 26, 2025 14:08 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Eastern Iceland, 64.65°N / -16.72°W 
Summit height: 1920? m (ca. 6,299 ft)
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 16 Dec 2021 (glacial flood, minor phreatic activity)
Kverkfjöll, a large stratovolcano is hidden beneath the NE end of the Vatnajökull glacier. It has two elliptical ice-filled calderas, 8 x 5 km in diameter.
Fissures from the volcano can be traced 60 km to the NE. Kverkfjöll has had a number of subglacial eruptions in historic times.
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Kverkfjöll volcano eruptions: 1655, 1729, 1729, 1929, 1959, 1968
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 11:48 pm (Universal Time) | 0.4 16 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the W | 18.5 km ESE of Bárðarbunga | Info | |
| Thursday, November 20, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| Nov 20, 05:55 pm (Reykjavik) | 0.5 16 km | 22 km (14 mi) to the W | Iceland: 17.7 km ESE of Bárðarbunga | Info | |
| Nov 20, 05:55 pm (Universal Time) | 0.7 17 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the W | 18.1 km ESE of Bárðarbunga | Info | |
| Wednesday, November 19, 2025 GMT (3 quakes) | |||||
| Nov 19, 02:04 am (Universal Time) | 0.9 4.5 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the W | 18.4 km ESE of Bárðarbunga | Info | |
| Nov 19, 02:04 am (Reykjavik) | 0.7 2.8 km | 6.3 km (3.9 mi) to the W | Iceland: 11.1 km W of Kverkfjöll | Info | |
| Nov 19, 02:04 am (Universal Time) | 0.6 19 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the W | 18.6 km ESE of Bárðarbunga | Info | |
Kverkfjöll Volcano Photos
Kverkfjöll volcano and part of the Vatnajökull glacier in the background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Central section of the lava flow with parts of Kverkfjöll volcano and Vatnajökull glacier in background. (Photo: Tom Pfeiffer)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Kverkfjöll volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Kverkfjöll has had at least 8 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 6 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 Kverkfjöll volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Kverkfjöll can be found on the news page of Kverkfjöll volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Hveradalur area Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| Krepputunguhraun, Kverfjallahraun | ? | ||||
| Arnadalsoldugjoska | ? | ||||
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
Kverkfjöll Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Kverkfjöll volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Kverkfjöll occurred in 1968.
+How often does Kverkfjöll volcano erupt?
Since 1655 AD, Kverkfjöll volcano has had at least 6 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 62 years.
+How active is Kverkfjöll volcano at present?
Kverkfjöll volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 3 eruptions, and been active during 3 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Kverkfjöll has been in eruption one in 42 years on average. The last eruption was in 1968 and ended 57 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Kverkfjöll volcano?
The largest eruption of Kverkfjöll volcano in historic times occurred in 1959. It only has a VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) of 1, likely because it was a mainly effusive eruption generating lava flows but very little ash.
Latest satellite images
Kverkfjöll 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 Kverkfjöll volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kverkfjöll volcano (scale of few kilometers)
