The Ice Queen
Bárðarbunga is a subglacial stratovolcano beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap, rising to ~2,009 m. It has a caldera about 70 km² in area and is part of Iceland's largest volcanic system at ~200 km long. It produced the largest lava eruption in Iceland in over 230 years with the 2014-2015 Holuhraun event.
The Holuhraun eruption lasted 6 months (August 2014 - February 2015) and created a lava field larger than Manhattan. It was one of the most closely monitored eruptions in history.
Unlike most Icelandic eruptions, Holuhraun occurred on the surface (not under ice), making it safely accessible for scientific study. It became the most monitored effusive eruption in history, with continuous measurements of lava flow, gas emissions, and ground deformation.
Bárðarbunga is one of Iceland's most closely monitored volcanic systems due to its potential for large-scale eruptions.
Earthquake swarms in January 2025 included ~130 earthquakes up to magnitude 5.1, suggesting magma accumulation under the caldera. Scientists monitor the system closely for signs of potential future eruptions.
The Holuhraun lava field is located in Iceland's remote highlands, north of Vatnajökull glacier.