Volcano · Iceland
Bárðarbunga
Fed the 2014–15 Holuhraun lava field, Iceland's biggest in over 200 years.
Status right now
No current reports
Bárðarbunga is not in the latest Smithsonian weekly report or the GDACS volcano alerts. That usually means it is quiet, but not every change is reported straight away. For official alerts, follow the local volcano observatory.
Checked 5 Nov 2026, 02:12 UTC.
Key facts
- Country
- Iceland
- Region
- Europe
- Type
- Subglacial
- Summit
- 2,000 m (6,562 ft)
- Coordinates
- 64.633° N, 17.516° W
- Smithsonian number
- 373030
What kind of volcano is it?
Bárðarbunga is a subglacial. A subglacial volcano lies under an ice cap. When it erupts, the heat melts the ice, which can release sudden floods of meltwater, and the mix of magma and water makes ash-rich explosions.
Eruption history
| Date | VEI | Deaths | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Sept 1996 | 3 | – | – |
| May 1861 | 2 | – | – |
| 1860 | – | 1 | – |
| Apr 1784 | 4 | 9,350 | – |
| 15 Oct 1753 | 2 | – | – |
| 1 Feb 1729 | 1 | – | – |
| 1 Feb 1726 | 1 | – | – |
| 4 Aug 1717 | 3 | – | – |
| 5 Oct 1716 | 2 | – | – |
| 15 Jan 1712 | 2 | – | – |
| Dec 1684 | 2 | 1 | – |
| 1629 | 2 | 4 | – |
| Feb 1477 | 6 | – | – |
13 significant eruptions near Bárðarbunga in NOAA's Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, which lists eruptions that caused deaths, damage or a tsunami, or were VEI 6 or larger. VEI is the Volcanic Explosivity Index, from 0 to 8.
Nearby volcanoes
- GrímsvötnIceland · 26 km
- HeklaIceland · 126 km
- KatlaIceland · 135 km
- EyjafjallajökullIceland · 151 km
- Reykjanes PeninsulaIceland · 252 km
- Campi FlegreiItaly · 3,327 km
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.