Askja Volcano
Updated: May 1, 2025 11:43 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Central Iceland, 65.03°N / -16.75°W 
Summit height: 1516 m (4,974 ft)
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 27 Mar 2024 (seismic swarm yesterday)
Askja is a large basaltic central volcano that forms the Dyngjufjöll massif. It is truncated by three overlapping calderas, the largest of which is 8 km wide and may have been produced primarily from subglacial ring-fracture eruptions rather than by subsidence.
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Askja volcano eruptions: 1797(?), 1875, 1919, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924(?), 1926, 1938, 1961
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 06:54 am (Reykjavik) | 0.3 5 km | 5.7 km (3.5 mi) to the N | Iceland: 2.6 km E of Jónsskarð | Info | |
| May 1, 06:37 am (Reykjavik) | 0.5 10.3 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the NE | Iceland: 4.1 km SSW of Herðubreið | Info | |
| May 1, 06:08 am (Universal Time) | 0.3 9.8 km | 21 km (13 mi) to the NE | 4.0 km SSW of Herðubreið | Info | |
| May 1, 05:14 am (Universal Time) | 1.8 3.5 km | 1.2 km (0.7 mi) to the NW | 2.1 km NE of Mývetningahraun | Info | |
| May 1, 03:59 am (Reykjavik) | 0.4 8.9 km | 27 km (17 mi) to the NE | Iceland: 3.8 km N of Herðubreið | Info | |
| Wednesday, April 30, 2025 GMT (3 quakes) | |||||
| Apr 30, 10:25 pm (Reykjavik) | 0.4 9.7 km | 28 km (17 mi) to the NE | Iceland: 4.2 km N of Herðubreið | Info | |
| Apr 30, 09:24 pm (Reykjavik) | 0.3 8.4 km | 28 km (18 mi) to the NE | Iceland: 4.8 km N of Herðubreið | Info | |
| Apr 30, 05:16 pm (Universal Time) | 1.9 4.7 km | 5.9 km (3.7 mi) to the N | 2.6 km E of Jónsskarð | Info | |
| Saturday, April 26, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Apr 26, 10:12 am (Universal Time) | 1.6 4.1 km | 3.6 km (2.2 mi) to the E | 1.4 km NE of Suðurbotnar | Info | |
Background
A major rhyolitic explosive eruption from Dyngjufjöll about 10,000 years ago was in part associated with the formation of Askja caldera. Many postglacial eruptions also occurred along the ring-fracture. A major explosive eruption on the SE caldera margin in 1875 was one of Iceland's largest during historical time. It resulted in the formation of a smaller 4.5-km-wide caldera, now filled by Öskjuvatn lake, that truncates the rim of the larger central caldera. The 100-km-long Askja fissure swarm, which includes the Sveinagja graben, is also related to the Askja volcanic system, as are several small shield volcanoes such as Kollatadyngja. Twentieth-century eruptions at Askja have produced lava flows from vents located mostly near Öskjuvatn lake.---
Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institution
Askja Volcano Photos
Viti crater and lake Öskjuvatn fill only a part of the enormous Askja caldera in Iceland. (Photo: Janka)
Askja caldera with its sulphurous Viti crater and the deep lake of Öskjuvatn in the background, Iceland (Photo: Janka)
View on the exceptionally clear waters of lake Öskjuvatn, Askja caldera, Iceland (Photo: Janka)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Askja volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Askja has had at least 14 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 10 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 Askja volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Askja can be found on the news page of Askja volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North of Öskjuvatn lake (Vikraborgir) Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| South shore of Öskjuvatn lake Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| South end of Öskjuvatn lake Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
| South flank of Dyngjufjöll massif Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| SE corner of Öskjuvatn Caldera Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| 1 km SW of Öskjuvatn Caldera Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| NE caldera wall, 0.6 km SE of Viti Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| Dyngjufjöll Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Öskjuvatn Caldera, Viti, Sveinagja Historical obs./docs. | 5 | ||||
| 1875 Mar 29 (eruption | Historical obs./docs. | 5 | light | Info | |
| Holuhraun Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| South of Dyngjufjöll Ytri | 1 | ||||
| Litladynga and Askja | ? | ||||
| Flatadyngja, other areas NE of Dyngjufjöll | ? | ||||
| SE part of Askja caldera | 5 | ||||
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
Askja Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Askja volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Askja occurred in 1961.
+How often does Askja volcano erupt?
Since 1797, Askja volcano has had at least 10 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 22.8 years.
+How active is Askja volcano at present?
Askja 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, Askja has been in eruption one in 15.8 years on average. The last eruption was in 1961 and ended 63 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Askja volcano?
The largest eruption of Askja volcano in historic times occurred in 1875. 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.
Latest satellite images
Askja 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 Askja volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Askja volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Askja volcano (scale of few kilometers)
