About one third of the basaltic lava erupted on Earth in recorded history has come from Iceland. The island is geologically young, its oldest surface rocks are about 16 to 18 million years old, and it hosts around 30 active volcanic systems among roughly 130 volcanoes. It is one of the best places in the world to take a volcano tour.
- Read more about Volcanoes in Iceland
- Book a Tour Inside a Volcanic Magma Chamber
- See three amazing attractions in one with this Snowmobile, Glacier Hike & Inside a Volcano Tour
- Get into the action with this Landmannalaugar & Hekla Volcano Super Jeep Tour
Here below are a few documentaries about Icelandic volcanoes:
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Volcanic Ash Chaos: Inside the Eruption
While planes were stranded across Europe in 2010, a National Geographic team filmed the Eyjafjallajokull eruption from its early days, combining dramatic on-site footage with clear science communication. The film also touches on nearby Katla, one of Iceland’s most powerful volcanic systems.
Killer Cloud
A BBC Timewatch documentary about the Laki eruption of 1783–84. The event triggered famine that killed about a quarter of Iceland’s population and produced a sulfurous haze over much of Europe, with widespread health impacts. The upload is presented in six parts below.
Part one:
Part two:
Part three:
Part four:
Part five:
Part six:
Can there be another volcanic eruption like Eyjafjallajokull?
A 2012 BBC special explores the aftermath of the 2010 Eyjafjallajokull eruption and asks whether events of that scale could happen again. Presenter Kate Humble meets local residents and scientists in Iceland, and even descends into a magma chamber.
Deadliest volcanoes in the world
For wider context, here is a look at some of the world’s deadliest volcanoes from the History Channel.
More documentaries to watch
- Into the Inferno (2016) – Werner Herzog’s acclaimed documentary includes striking sequences filmed in Iceland alongside other volcanic regions.
- Life on Fire: Icelandic Volcanoes – A beautifully shot episode offering a concise, accessible overview of Iceland’s most active systems.
