Volcano · Iceland
Grímsvötn
Iceland's most frequently erupting volcano, under the Vatnajökull glacier.
Status right now
No current reports
Grímsvötn 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, 00:34 UTC.
Key facts
- Country
- Iceland
- Region
- Europe
- Type
- Subglacial caldera
- Summit
- 1,719 m (5,640 ft)
- Coordinates
- 64.416° N, 17.316° W
- Smithsonian number
- 373010
What kind of volcano is it?
Grímsvötn is a subglacial caldera. This caldera lies beneath glacial ice. Eruptions melt the ice from below, which can cause sudden glacial floods, and magma meeting meltwater produces explosive, ash-rich eruptions.
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 Grímsvötn 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
- BárðarbungaIceland · 26 km
- KatlaIceland · 122 km
- HeklaIceland · 123 km
- EyjafjallajökullIceland · 143 km
- Reykjanes PeninsulaIceland · 256 km
- Campi FlegreiItaly · 3,305 km
Not an official warning service. In an emergency, follow your local authorities.