Status
Follow official monitoring
The last ice-breaking eruption was in 1918.
Katla: the Volcano Under Mýrdalsjökull
One of Iceland's most powerful and closely monitored volcanoes, beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier on the south coast with current information available from the Icelandic Met Office.
Region
South Iceland
Under Mýrdalsjökull. Ice cave tours available nearby.
Quick Answer
Katla is one of Iceland's largest and most active volcanoes, buried beneath the Mýrdalsjökull ice cap. With a caldera roughly 10 km in diameter, it has produced some of Iceland's most explosive eruptions. Its last major eruption in 1918 generated large glacial floods, and scientists have been watching closely ever since.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This page is for trip planning, not emergency guidance. Volcanic areas can change rapidly. Check official alerts and follow on-site closures.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Key risk
Jökulhlaup flooding
Glacial floods can reach the coast in hours.
Access
Ice cave tours nearby
Summit under glacier; not directly accessible.
What to Expect Near Katla
- Subglacial caldera volcano: ~10 km wide caldera buried under Mýrdalsjökull ice cap (595 km²)
- The Met Office dates the last eruption to break through the ice to 1918; elapsed time is not an eruption forecast
- Mýrdalsjökull covers the caldera; ice-cave product availability depends on the operator and conditions
- Black sand Mýrdalssandur outwash plain formed by past jökulhlaup floods from eruptions
- Geothermal activity and hot springs in the region; cauldrons form in the ice from subglacial heating
- Historically linked to Eyjafjallajökull eruptions; monitoring intensified after 2010 event
- Visitors can see glacial outlet tongues like Kötlujökull showing evidence of volcanic heat beneath
Nearby Attractions
- Vík í Mýrdal (south coast village)
- Reynisfjara black sand beach
- Sólheimajökull glacier walks
- Dyrhólaey arch and puffin colony
- Mýrdalssandur black sand outwash plain
- Þakgil canyon campsite south of the glacier
How to Get There
- Drive Route 1 along the south coast to Vik i Myrdal (~180 km from Reykjavik, ~2.5 hours)
- The caldera itself is inaccessible under Myrdalsjokull glacier; no hiking to the summit
- Ice cave tours on Myrdalsjokull depart from Vik with guided operators (Nov-Mar season)
- Kotlujokull glacier tongue on the eastern side is viewable from a rough 4WD track off Route 1
- Guided glacier walks on Solheimajokull (a western outlet glacier) are available year-round
- No F-roads needed to reach Vik or the tour departure points; standard 2WD car sufficient
Best Time to Visit
- Year-round: Route 1 to Vik is accessible in all seasons (winter driving conditions apply)
- November to March: ice cave season inside Myrdalsjokull; guided tours only
- June to August: best weather for glacier walks on Solheimajokull and views of Myrdalsjokull
- Shoulder months (May, September-October): fewer crowds, still good for glacier walks
- Winter: ice caves, but shorter days and potential road closures during storms
- Puffin season (May-August) at nearby Dyrholaey
An ice-cave trip is not an eruption forecast
The Met Office’s Katla description identifies an ice-filled caldera beneath Mýrdalsjökull and gives 1918 as the last eruption to break through that ice. It links the system to both seismic and GPS monitoring. Those sources answer a different question from a tour calendar, which describes a bookable activity in the glacier area.
When comparing a Katla ice-cave product, establish the departure point, equipment requirements and cancellation terms. For volcanic conditions and any local instructions, check the authorities. The ability to buy a ticket does not establish that every route or cave will be available on the day.
Planning help
Katla FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Is Katla overdue for an eruption?
The Icelandic Met Office identifies 1918 as the last eruption to break through the ice. Historical intervals are not a timetable for the next eruption. Follow current monitoring and official notices rather than treating Katla as having a predictable overdue date.
How dangerous is Katla?
Katla is one of Iceland's most dangerous volcanoes due to its position under Mýrdalsjökull glacier. An eruption would melt ice rapidly and trigger jökulhlaup (glacial floods) that could reach the coast within hours.
Can you visit the Katla area?
You can visit the surrounding area, including ice cave tours on Mýrdalsjökull and the village of Vík nearby. The volcano's summit is under the glacier and not accessible to regular visitors.
What is a jökulhlaup from Katla?
A jökulhlaup is a glacial outburst flood caused by volcanic activity melting ice. Katla's jökulhlaups can release enormous volumes of water, carrying ice blocks and sediment across the Mýrdalssandur outwash plain.
Is Katla connected to Eyjafjallajökull?
Historically, eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull have sometimes been followed by Katla eruptions, though the connection is debated. After the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption, monitoring of Katla was significantly increased.
For a countrywide view of Iceland’s volcanic systems, explore our Iceland statistics.