The Volcano That Stopped the World
This ice-capped stratovolcano became globally famous in 2010 when its eruption produced an ash cloud that disrupted air travel worldwide for weeks. The name means "Island Mountain Glacier."
Eyjafjallajökull rises 1,651 meters above the south coast, its ice-capped summit visible for miles across the coastal plains. The name translates to "Island Mountain Glacier," referring to the Westman Islands visible offshore.
Beneath the serene ice cap lies one of Iceland's most active volcanic systems, where the interaction between fire and ice creates some of nature's most explosive phenomena.
The 2010 eruption created the largest air-traffic shutdown since World War II, affecting 10 million passengers, 100,000 flights cancelled, and economic losses of $1.7 billion due to fine volcanic ash in the atmosphere.
Initial eruption began on the flank, creating spectacular lava fountains and attracting thousands of tourists. This effusive eruption lasted 3 weeks.
Main explosive eruption began under the ice cap, creating massive ash clouds that rose 11 km into the atmosphere and spread across Europe.
European airspace closed for 6 days. The fine volcanic ash was dangerous to jet engines, leading to the most comprehensive flight ban in peacetime history.
The 2010 eruption sent ash 11 km into the atmosphere, disrupting 100,000 flights and stranding 10 million passengers in the largest air-traffic shutdown since World War II.
Post-eruption, the glacier has reformed over the volcanic crater, though the ice cap is smaller and changed by the 2010 events.
The Eyjafjallajökull Erupts visitor center near Hvolsvöllur tells the story of the 2010 eruption with multimedia exhibits and local perspectives on living with an active volcano.
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