Mýrdalsjökull
Katla's Ice Shield — Volcanic Glacier
Iceland's 4th largest glacier conceals one of its most dangerous volcanoes — Katla. The glacier's ice is dramatically striped with black volcanic ash from past eruptions, and its most accessible outlet, Sólheimajökull, offers glacier walks just 2 hours from Reykjavík.
Volcanic Features
- Covers Katla volcano system
- Black ice from volcanic ash layers
- 24/7 seismic monitoring underway
- Katla erupts every 40-80 years (currently overdue)
Film Location
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Star Trek: Into Darkness
- Game of Thrones
- Interstellar
Sólheimajökull — Walking on Ancient Ice
The most accessible glacier tongue in Iceland extends from Mýrdalsjökull's southern edge, offering visitors a dramatic introduction to glacial landscapes just 2 hours from Reykjavík.
Black volcanic ash from Katla's past eruptions creates striking dark layers within the ice, giving Sólheimajökull a unique appearance found nowhere else in Iceland.
Katla Volcano
One of Iceland's most dangerous volcanoes, Katla is currently overdue for eruption. When Katla erupts, it causes massive glacial floods (jökulhlaups) that can reach 300,000 m³/s — comparable to the Amazon River's flow.
- Covers Katla volcano caldera beneath 750m of ice
- Last major eruption: 1918
- Monitored continuously by Icelandic Met Office
- Katla Ice Cave: year-round cave featuring black and blue ice from volcanic ash layers, accessible via super jeep tours (3-4 hours)
Glacier Activities
- Glacier walks on Sólheimajökull: beginner-friendly, 2-4 hour tours, crevasses and ice formations visible
- Ice climbing: no experience needed, professional instruction, all equipment provided
- Katla Ice Cave: year-round super jeep tours to unique black-ice caves from Vík
Safety Information
Mýrdalsjökull conceals the active Katla volcano. Never explore glaciers without guides — the ice can collapse and Katla could erupt with little warning. Check safetravel.is and Veðurstofa.is for current alerts. Jökulhlaup flood evacuation routes are signposted on the south coast.