Volcanic Landmarks
- May 29, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Iceland’s volcanoes are the center of the island’s creation. With nearly 130 volcanoes on the island, not only are the people of Iceland expecting an eruption any second, but they do not shy away from running toward the phenomenon when an eruption occurs. The island is filled with signs of lava flow, with rocks all over the place even without a volcano in plain sight. While visiting the island of Heimaey, we hiked Eldfell, the island’s volcano that last erupted in January 1973. The five-month eruption came unbeknownst to the people living on the island as this volcano was believed to be dormant without activity for over 5,000 years. The rocks leading the trail up the volcano were filled with shades of burgundy, yellows and mild oranges, signifying the eruption’s reality despite the nearly 50 years it's been since then. The interior of the volcano had layers to it, almost looking peeled as a result of the lava’s landing as it burst. Visually, it felt like a volcanic eruption was this year with how the coloration and shaping of the mountain remained so vivid.
The volcanoes are also the reason for the unique hot springs that can be found all over the island. Not only do these hot springs symbolize the power beneath the ground of the island, they are used as natural resources to the people of the island and have become a main component of the island’s ability to be self-sufficient. Icelanders use geothermal energy to heat their houses and even cook. We visited Fontana Geothermal Bakery and experienced the power of the geothermal springs as our guide showed us how to make bread beneath the ground. With all of the ingredients in a pot wrapped in cellophane, he dug a hole beneath the hot springs mud and placed the pot in the hole, stacking it with mud. He assured us that in 24 hours the bread would be baked equivalent to the way it would be in an oven. He took out the pot that was put in the day prior and sliced it for us all to try, it was unimaginably perfect to the taste.
The island’s well-known Blue Lagoon was breathtaking and pictures cannot paint the full image of its impact. Not only is the water healing to the touch but its blue color is calming and curing to any ache. The Blue Lagoon was our first stop after traveling all night. I did not feel any sign of travel in my body after soaking in the sulfur waters and applying a mud face mask that was provided in the pool.
Another hot spring that was breathtaking to the eye was Gunnuhver, Iceland’s largest mud pool. The story of how this hot spring got its name was born from a woman named Gunna who lived on the Reykjanes Peninsula about 400 years ago. Legends have stated that Gunna was a witch who starved herself after not being able to pay her rent and later died. Her spirit was known to haunt her landlord and the area where the hot spring is located. In addition to the stories that ground these landmarks, volcanic rock shapes the coast of the island making the water crashing onto the shore a beautiful picture to capture with the eye. The rock also captivates the water and gives it unique colors depending on the depths of the puddles and creeks that the rocks create for it.
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