Krafla & Lake Mývatn
The Fires of the North — a volcanic caldera still steaming from its last eruption in 1984
Krafla is a massive volcanic caldera system in North Iceland, famous for the dramatic 'Krafla Fires' eruptions of 1975–1984 and its stunning turquoise Víti crater lake. The area sits within one of Iceland's most geothermally active zones, adjacent to the extraordinary Lake Mývatn. The lava fields at Leirhnjúkur are still steaming today.
Víti Crater Lake
The turquoise Víti explosion crater, 320 meters wide, was formed during the 1724 eruption that began the Mývatn Fires. Its name means 'Hell' in Icelandic. Today, a geothermal lake fills the crater with milky blue-green water — one of North Iceland's most photographed natural wonders.
A short 5-minute walk from the parking area leads to the rim, offering a dramatic view down into the steaming crater below.
The Mývatn Fires (1724–1729)
A five-year eruption episode that dramatically reshaped the landscape around Lake Mývatn.
- Duration: 1724–1729 (5 years)
- Víti crater formed in 1724 — 320m wide explosion crater
- Multiple fissure eruptions along the volcanic system
- Extensive lava flows threatened local settlements
- Farms destroyed, pasture lands covered by new lava
The Krafla Fires (1975–1984)
Nine years of dramatic volcanic activity that provided invaluable scientific insights into rifting processes and magma chamber behavior. The Krafla Fires are among the most studied eruptions in history.
- 9 separate eruptions over 9 years
- Lava fountains reaching up to 300 m high
- ~0.3 km³ of basaltic lava erupted
- New lava covered approximately 36 km²
- Fissure eruptions along 80+ km of rift zone
- No fatalities
- Created the still-steaming Leirhnjúkur lava field
Geothermal Features
- Víti crater: 320m wide, turquoise geothermal lake
- Leirhnjúkur: active fumaroles, mud pots, and steaming lava from 1984
- Colorful sulfur deposits along marked hiking trails
- 60 MW Krafla geothermal power station
- Power plant tours available
Getting There & Nearby Attractions
Krafla is located about 15 km northeast of Lake Mývatn, a 15-minute drive on paved roads. The area is easily combined with Mývatn's other extraordinary attractions.
- Víti crater viewpoint (5 min walk from parking)
- Leirhnjúkur lava field hike (1–2 hours)
- Krafla power plant visitor center
- Námafjall geothermal area (5 min away)
- Mývatn Nature Baths (15 min away)
- Dimmuborgir lava formations
- Skútustaðir pseudocraters on Lake Mývatn
Safety Information
Stay on marked trails around Leirhnjúkur — ground temperatures can be extreme and the terrain unstable. Do not approach fumaroles closely. Ground can be dangerously hot just beneath the surface.