Hekla Volcano

Updated: May 1, 2025 15:41 GMT - refresh

stratovolcano

Iceland, 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: 15 Dec 2021

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.
Hekla volcano eruptions: 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

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
May 1, 10:56 am (Reykjavik)	0.4 0.2 km	1.2 km (0.7 mi) to the W	Iceland: 1.2 km W of Hekla	Info
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 GMT (3 quakes)
Apr 30, 08:04 pm (Universal Time)	1.2 2.5 km	19 km (12 mi) to the E	10.4 km NNW of Álftavatn	Info
Apr 30, 08:00 pm (Reykjavik)	0.5 3.2 km	19 km (12 mi) to the E	Iceland: 9.5 km NNW of Álftavatn	Info
Apr 30, 07:38 pm (Reykjavik)	0.7 2.2 km	19 km (12 mi) to the E	Iceland: 10.2 km NNW of Álftavatn	Info
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Apr 29, 01:43 pm (Universal Time)	0.7 0.9 km	18 km (11 mi) to the E	10.1 km NNW of Álftavatn	Info
Apr 29, 01:42 pm (Universal Time)	0.6 2.7 km	18 km (11 mi) to the E	10.5 km NNW of Álftavatn	Info
Monday, April 28, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 28, 09:52 pm (Universal Time)	0.6 1.5 km	21 km (13 mi) to the E	10.1 km N of Álftavatn	Info
Sunday, April 27, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 27, 06:41 pm (Universal Time)	1.2 7.8 km	12 km (7.2 mi) to the SW	9.9 km W of Vatnafjöll	Info
Monday, April 21, 2025 GMT (3 quakes)
Apr 21, 05:55 pm (Universal Time)	1.3 1.4 km	29 km (18 mi) to the W	4.0 km NNE of Árnes	Info

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

Gjárfoss waterfall in the basaltic gorge of Gjáin near Hekla volcano, Iceland (Photo: Janka)

The contours of Mount Hekla materialising in the hazy evening light behind a volcanic ridge. Near Hrauneyjalón, southern boundary of the Icelandic Highlands - 13 Septmeb...

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Significant volcanic eruptions: 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.

Date	Note	VEI	Deaths	Damage
2000 Feb 26 - Mar 8	SW flank Historical obs./docs.	3
1991 Jan 17 - Mar 11	Summit, SW, SE & NE flank fissures Historical obs./docs.	3
1981 Apr 9 - Apr 16	Summit and north flank (900 and 740 m) Historical obs./docs.	2
1980 Aug 17 - Aug 20	Summit, SW and NE flanks Historical obs./docs.	3
1980 Aug 17 (eruption 1980 Aug 17 - Aug 20)	Historical obs./docs.	3		light	Info
1980 Aug 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 Historical obs./docs.	3
1970 May 5 (eruption 1970 May 5 - Jul 5)	Historical obs./docs.	3		light	Info
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 Apr 21	Hraungigur, Axlargigur, Toppgigur Historical obs./docs.	4
1947 Nov 2 (eruption 1947 Mar 29 - 1948 Apr 21)	Historical obs./docs.	4	1		Info
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 Apr 25 - May 18	E & NE of Hekla (Mundafit, Lambafit) Historical obs./docs.	2
1878 Feb 27 - Apr	East of Hekla (Krakagigar) Historical obs./docs.	2
1845 Sep 2 - 1846 Apr 5 ?	Summit, SW and NE flanks Historical obs./docs.	4
1845 Sep 2 (eruption 1845 Sep 2 - 1846 Apr 5 ?)	Historical obs./docs.	4		light	Info
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 Apr 5 - 1768 May	Bjallagigar Historical obs./docs.	4
1766 Apr 5 (eruption 1766 Apr 5 - 1768 May)	Historical obs./docs.	4		light	Info
1766 Apr 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 Apr 2	SW, south and east of Hekla Historical obs./docs.	1?
1693 AD Feb 13 - Sep 14 ?	Historical obs./docs.	4
1693 AD Feb 13 (eruption 1693 AD Feb 13 - Sep 14 ?)	Tsunami recorded Historical obs./docs.	4			Info
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	Historical obs./docs.	3
1636 AD May 15 (eruption 1636 AD May 8 - 1637 Jun)	Historical obs./docs.	3		light	Info
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 Jan 3 - Jun	Historical obs./docs.	4
1597 AD Jan 3 (eruption 1597 AD Jan 3 - Jun)	Historical obs./docs.	4		light	Info
1597 AD Jan 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) Historical obs./docs.	2?
1510 AD Oct 15 (eruption 1510 AD Jul 25)	Historical obs./docs.	4	100-1,000 (*)		Info
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	Historical obs./docs.	4
1510 AD Jul 25 (eruption 1510 AD Jul 25)	Historical obs./docs.	4	1		Info
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	?
1389 AD Dec 1 ±30 d. - 1390	Summit ridge, west flank (Raudoldur) Historical obs./docs.	3
1389 AD Dec 1 (eruption 1389 AD Dec 1 ±30 d. - 1390)	Historical obs./docs.	3		light	Info
1389 AD Dec 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	Historical obs./docs.	3
1341 AD May 19 (eruption 1341 AD May 19)	Historical obs./docs.	3		light	Info
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	Historical obs./docs.	4
1300 AD Jul 11 (eruption 1300 AD Jul 11 - 1301 Jul)	Historical obs./docs.	4	600		Info
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	Historical obs./docs.	2
1206 AD Dec 4	Historical obs./docs.	3
1206 AD Dec 4 (eruption 1206 AD Dec 4)	Historical obs./docs.	2		light	Info
1206 AD Dec 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 Jan 19	Historical obs./docs.	4
1158 AD Jan 19 (eruption 1158 AD Jan 19)	Historical obs./docs.	4		light	Info
1158 AD Jan 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.	Historical obs./docs.	5
1104 AD Oct 15 (eruption 1104 AD Oct 15 ±45 d.)	Historical obs./docs.	5		light	Info
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	?

(*) Estimated numbers

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

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 25 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.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Hekla 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).