How frequent are earthquakes in Iceland?

Iceland has a high level of seismic activity. Based on data from the past 25 years and our earthquake archive back to 1900, there are about 43,000 quakes on average per year in Iceland. Iceland has had at least 2 quakes above magnitude 7 since 1900, which suggests that larger earthquakes of this size occur infrequently, probably on average approximately every 60 to 65 years.

How many earthquakes occur every year in Iceland?

On average, Iceland has about 492 quakes of magnitude 3 or higher per year (Mag 4+: 72 quakes per year, Mag 5+: 4.2 quakes per year).

Iceland and its volcanoes

Updated: May 21, 2025 02:28 GMT - refresh

Iceland has the land area of Virginia and the population of Virginia Beach (about 260,000 people). The country has the highest literacy rate (100%) of any nation in the world. Its history has always been closely related to volcanoes and knowledge of many volcanic eruptions since the middle ages are preserved in accounts.
First settled by Vikings in the 9th century AD, Iceland established its own parliament in 930 and recorded its first historical volcanic eruption only a few years later. After a golden age of literature in the 12th and 13th centuries (when the sagas were written), natural history reporting reached a low around the 15th century. In the years 1707-09 a third of the population died from smallpox, and the 1783-84 Laki eruption killed a fifth of the remaining population by famine. Iceland gained sovereignty from Denmark in 1918 and complete independence in 1944.
Iceland is noted for subglacial and regional fissure eruptions related to the rifting process between the separating plates.
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(adapted from GVP/Smithsonian Institution)

Volcanoes of Iceland

Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland (4 volcanoes)

Brennisteinsfjöll | Fagradalsfjall | Krísuvík | Svartsengi

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Significant volcanic eruptions: Iceland

In historic times, at least 19 volcanoes have been active in Iceland, including Svartsengi, Fagradalsfjall, and Bardarbunga volcanoes. A total of 157 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since around 920 AD.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events in Iceland since around 1990.

Date	Volcano	VEI	Region	Deaths	Damage
2023 Dec 18 - ongoing	Svartsengi Sundhnúkagígar, Svartsengi fissure swarm	1	Reykjanes peninsula, SW Iceland			Info
First episode of 7 fissure eruptions during Dec 2023-24. Followed intense earthquake swarm since 10 Nov, lasted 18-21 Dec 2023. Lava reached outskirts of Gríndavik town, which had been evacuated.
2023 Dec 18 (eruption 2023 Dec 18 - ongoing)	Svartsengi	0	Reykjanes peninsula, SW Iceland	1	moderate	Info
2023 Dec 18: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that a seismic swarm began near the older Sundhnukagigar crater row on the Reykjanes peninsula around 0230 on 14 January. A fissure eruption began at around 0757 just N of Grindavík, SE of Hagafell. Lava covered part of Grindavikurvegur road and overtopped a small area of the berm at the road, flowing south. A shorter second fissure opened at 1210 on 14 January to the SW of the first, about 200 m from the Efrahopi neighborhood in Grindavík. Lava flows traveled south, entering the town and setting at least three houses on fire. A man working on filling cracks in Grindavík fell into one of the cracks on 10 January and was unable to be located. Hundreds of rescue workers searched for the man but due to unsafe conditions and landslides occurring inside the crack the search was stopped on 12 January. (reference #13710) January 15, 2024: A new lava eruption started on 14 January at 7:57 UTC, and the fissure opening was located southeast of Hagafell Mountain. The southernmost part of the fissureis about 900 m from the town of Grindavik. Lava flow towards the town is ongoing and at 12.10 UTC on 14 January, a new lava fissure opened, and the lava flow affected the northern part of Grindavik. Gas pollution from the eruption is spreading south and southwest. According to media reports, all the people living in the town of Grindavik have been evacuated for the second time - they were allowed to return to their homes on 22 December following the eruption of 18 December. In addition, some houses in the town have been burned by the lava flow as well as road 43 which connects the city with the airport and Reykjavik. In addition, the wall defenses built after the eruption in December have partially contained the lava, but some have been breached. (reference #13714) December 18, 2023: At 22:17 UTC, a 4 km long volcanic fissure started erupting lava. The fissure is located in correspondence of the dyke intrusion that formed in November almost 3 km from Grindavík Town (Reykjanes Peninsula, south-western Iceland). (reference #13713) November 30, 2023: As of 28 November, the Icelandic Civil Protection reports that the building of a defense wall around Svartsengi power plant is ongoing and 3,700 people are still evacuated from Grindavik. Moreover, electricity, drinking water networks, several houses and roads have been damaged. (reference #13712) November 14, 2023: According to national authorities, at least 3,700 people living in Grindavík Towns have been preventively evacuated, boats are being evacuated from the harbour, several roads have been damaged (by earthquakes) as well as several water and power infrastructures and sewage. (reference #13711) October 25, 2023: An intense earthquake swarm started near Svartsengi, north of Grindavik. (reference #13711) Cited references #13710 Global Volcanism Program (2024): Report on Reykjanes (Iceland) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 January-16 January 2024. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. Link #13711 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Unrest, Update. Published 14 November 2023. Link #13712 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Unrest, Update. Published 30 November 2023. Link #13713 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Eruption. Published 19 December 2023. Link #13714 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2024): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Activity. Published 15 January 2024. Link #13715 Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) (2024): Uplift at Svartsengi continues. Accessed 22 January 2024. Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2023 Jul 10 - Aug 5	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland
2022 Aug 3 - Aug 21	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland
2021 Mar 19 - Sep 18	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland
2014 Aug 29 - 2015 Feb 27	Bardarbunga Holuhraun vent, 45 km NE	0	Central Iceland
2011 May 21 - May 25	Grímsvötn SW part of the caldera	4	Northeastern Iceland
2010 Mar 20 - Jun 23	Eyafjallajökull ENE flank (Fimmvörduháls) and summit	4	South Iceland
2010 Mar 31 (eruption 2010 Mar 20 - Jun 23)	Eyafjallajökull	2	South Iceland	2		Info
2010 Mar 31: The Icelandic Met Office reported that around 1900 on 31 March a new fissure at Eyjafjöll opened NE of the first fissure that began erupting on 20 March. Activity from the second fissure was not preceded by detectable seismicity. According to a news article, the fissure was about 300 m long, and about 200 m away from the first fissure. At the time of reporting by the Icelandic Met Office on 5 April, lava fountains had remained active from both fissures. Lava mostly accumulated near the new vent but some lava flows had entered the Hruná and Hvanná gullies. News outlets reported that two people had died during the journey back from seeing the eruption.The ash cloud resulted in the cancellation of tens of thousands of daily flights, both into and out of major European cities, after 15 April. This closure lasted for several days and by April 20, many flights had resumed. Over 10,000 flights were canceled due to the eruption. Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2004 Nov 1 - Nov 4	Grímsvötn SW and east sides of caldera	3	Northeastern Iceland
2000 Feb 26 - Mar 8	Hekla SW flank	3	South Iceland
1998 Dec 18 - Dec 28	Grímsvötn South caldera wall	3	Northeastern Iceland
1996 Sep 30 - Nov 6	Grímsvötn Gjálp (fissure N of caldera rim)	3?	Northeastern Iceland
1996 Sep 30 (eruption 1996 Sep 30 - Nov 6)	Grímsvötn	3	Northeastern Iceland		light	Info
1996 Sep 30: 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
1991 Jan 17 - Mar 11	Hekla Summit, SW, SE & NE flank fissures	3	South Iceland

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

Iceland FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption in Iceland?

The last volcanic eruption in Iceland was from Svartsengi volcano. It began in 2023 and is continuing (as of May 2025).

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption in Iceland?

The first historically documented eruption occurred around 920 AD from Katla volcano.

+How often do volcanoes in Iceland erupt?

Since 920 AD, Iceland has seen at least 157 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 7 years.

+How active are the volcanoes in Iceland?

Iceland is volcanically relatively active: Since 1900, at least 13 volcanoes in Iceland have been active.Since 1900, Iceland has had 47 volcanic eruptions from 13 individual volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions have been recorded erupted during 49 years out of 126 as of now. This means, at least one volcano in Iceland has been in eruption in one in 2.6 years on average. The latest eruption from Svartsengi volcano volcano is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption in Iceland?

The largest eruption in Iceland in historic times was from Bardarbunga volcano. It occurred in 1477 AD. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 6 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Latest earthquakes: Iceland

In the past 7 days, Iceland was shaken by 2 quakes of magnitude 4.0 or above, 6 quakes between 3.0 and 4.0, and 97 quakes between 2.0 and 3.0. There were also 1,328 quakes below magnitude 2.0 which people don't normally feel.

A magnitude 4.6 quake was felt in 97 km N of Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland .

Magnitude 4.6 Earthquake 97 km N of Akureyri, Northeast, Iceland reported felt -

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Nearest Volcano / Location
May 16, 06:32 pm (Universal Time)	3.6 6.8 km	21 km (13 mi) W of Eldey	Iceland Region I FELT IT	Info
Thursday, May 15, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
May 15, 06:17 am (Universal Time)	3.4 4.5 km	30 km (19 mi) NW of Tjörnes Fracture Zone	Iceland Region I FELT IT	Info
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 GMT (4 quakes)
May 14, 11:48 pm (Reykjavik)	4.2 10 km	33 km (21 mi) E of Kolbeinsey Ridge	Iceland Region I FELT IT - 2 reports	Info
May 14, 10:21 am (Universal Time)	3.7 9.5 km	37 km (23 mi) NW of Tjörnes Fracture Zone	Iceland Region I FELT IT	Info
May 14, 05:37 am (Universal Time)	3.6 12 km	37 km (23 mi) E of Kolbeinsey Ridge	Iceland Region I FELT IT - 3 reports	Info
May 14, 05:20 am (Reykjavik)	4.6 10 km	37 km (23 mi) NW of Tjörnes Fracture Zone	58 km NNW of Norðurþing, Iceland I FELT IT - 15 reports	Info

See Recent Quakes

Significant Earthquakes in Iceland since 1900

This was the 6th worst quake in Iceland during recorded history. 11 houses and other buildings were destroyed and 11 damaged.

Date	Mag	Region	Damage
2008 May 29	6.3	Reykjavik	light	Info
2000 Jun 21	6.5	Grimsnes, Selfoss, Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri	heavy	Info
2000 Jun 17	6.5	Vestmannaeyjar, Hella	heavy	Info
1976 Jan 13	6.4	Kopasker	moderate	Info

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

All Quakes in History

Map

Oldest quakes (until 1960) are shown in yellow, most recent (from 2000) in red.

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Significant Earthquakes in Iceland FAQ

+Which was the earthquake that caused most damage in Iceland since 1900?

The earthquake that caused most damage was the magnitude 6.5 earthquake in Iceland, South on Jun, 17, 2000. It caused no known fatalities and estimated $20 million US Dollars (today's equivalent) in total economic damage.

+How much damage did earthquakes cause in Iceland since 1900?

There were 4 damaging or deadly quakes during this period that caused economic losses of approx. $38 million US Dollars combined.

Location of Iceland and the North Atlantic mid-ocean ridge where the American and Eurasian plates separate

Simplified map of Iceland showing its active volcanoes

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Hekla Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: HEKLA OBS VA DTG: 13/1449Z

Fri, 9 May 2025, 05:43

Svartsengi volcano update: uplift continues

The new hazard map relating to the current seismic unrest under the area (image: Icelandic Met Office)

Recent GPS deformation data continue to detected the uplift in the Svartsengi area, although the rate of the ground swell has slowed in recent weeks. ... Read all