Katla is a large volcano in south Iceland beneath the Myrdalsjokull ice cap, near Vik. Its last major eruption was in 1918.
Where Katla is
Katla is a large volcano in south Iceland, hidden beneath the Myrdalsjokull ice cap. It sits near the village of Vik.
Eruptions and glacial floods
Katla is one of Iceland's most active volcanoes and has erupted many times through history. Its last major eruption was in 1918. Because it lies under ice, its eruptions can melt the glacier and cause sudden glacial floods called jokulhlaups. The 1918 eruption sent a large flood across the sands south of the glacier. Katla is closely monitored, and the area has plans in case of an eruption. Conditions and alerts can be checked on safetravel.is.
Visiting the area and South Coast tours
The Katla ice cave is a separate visitor attraction in the glacier above the volcano. You can compare South Coast tours to see the current options.
Build a sensible route
Before setting off, use the Driving Distance Calculator to compare Katla Volcano Iceland: Key Facts with the other places you plan to visit.
