LAVAcentre

05/03/2025

🔥 March 2010 – Fimmvörðuháls lights up the Icelandic sky!
🌋 This stunning eruption was just the beginning… A few weeks later, Eyjafjallajökull took over the
world’s headlines, grounding flights and making history.
Want to dive into Iceland’s explosive past? Visit Lava Centre!

01/03/2025

🔥 Hekla – Iceland’s legendary Gateway to Hell 🔥

One of the most active volcanoes in Iceland, this powerful stratovolcano has a fiery past—and it’s not done yet. 🌋 See it for yourself from our observation platform at LAVA Centre!

📍 Located in Hvolsvöllur - Visit us to explore Iceland’s explosive history up close!

24/02/2025

🔥 Explore Iceland’s Volcanoes at LAVA Centre! 🌋

Step inside and discover Iceland’s fiery past and present:

🔬 Interactive Exhibition – 8 rooms explaining how Iceland was formed, from deep inside the Earth to powerful eruptions!
🌋 Observation Platform – Spot real volcanoes and glaciers that surround LAVA Centre.
🎥 Cinema Hall – Watch a short film on Iceland’s most dramatic eruptions of the last century.
📡 Main Hall – Stay updated with a real-time earthquake map and volcanic system panels, directly connected to the Met Office!

Ready to experience Iceland’s volcanic power? Visit us in Hvolsvöllur! 🔥

16/02/2025

Reykjanes Peninsula update: Increased Volcanic Eruption Risk at Sundhnúksgígaröðin.

👉LAND UPLIFT AND MAGMA BUILDUP AT SVARTSENGI INDICATE POTENTIAL ERUPTION :
Deformation measurements confirm ongoing land uplift and magma accumulation beneath Svartsengi, close to the Blue Lagoon and Grindavík. The volume of accumulated magma has now reached the lower threshold historically observed before magma intrusions.

👉According to the data from the Veðurstofa Íslands (Icelandic Met Office), the previous eruptions in the Sundhnúksgígaröð fissure system have occurred between three days and four weeks after reaching this level. While this does not guarantee an imminent eruption, historical patterns suggest this timeframe as the most probable scenario.

For more detailed update, check our blog on LAVAcentre website 🤓 https://lavacentre.is/increased-volcanic-eruption-risk-at-sundhnuksgigarodin/

16/02/2025

🔥 Fagradalsfjall

On March 19, 2021, after 6,000 years of dormancy, the Fagradalsfjall volcanic system erupted on the Reykjanes Peninsula. This followed over a year of intense seismic activity, signaling magma movement beneath the surface.

The eruption began in Geldingadalur and later expanded into Meradalir and Nátthagi, reshaping the landscape with slow-moving lava flows. Unlike explosive eruptions, this event allowed scientists and visitors to observe volcanic activity up close, offering valuable insights into Iceland’s ever-changing geology.

With recent unrest in the area, could Fagradalsfjall erupt again? Time will tell. 🌋

11/02/2025

✨ Chasing the Northern Lights? Stay Local & Make It Easy! ✨

Why spend hours driving through the freezing night, burning fuel, and exhausting yourself on an aurora hunt when the best experience might be right outside your door?

Staying in a small village like Hvolsvöllur means less light pollution, more comfort, and a more eco-friendly way to enjoy the Northern Lights. Instead of long, uncertain drives, you can step outside your accommodation and catch the magic right from your yard!

And here’s the best part – LAVA Centre has its own Aurora Live We**am, so you can check if the lights have already appeared before heading out. No more guessing, no more unnecessary trips – just pure aurora magic with minimal effort.

Save energy, skip the stress, and enjoy the show the smart way!

09/02/2025

The hidden force that created Iceland 🔥

Iceland exists because of a mantle plume—a rising column of hot rock from deep within the Earth’s mantle.

👉🏼This plume, sitting beneath Iceland, brings intense heat toward the surface, partially melting the mantle and creating magma. As this magma rises, it fuels volcanic eruptions and continuously adds new land to the island.

👉🏼But that’s not all! Iceland also sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are pulling apart. The combination of these two forces—mantle plume heat from below and plate movements at the surface—makes Iceland one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. Without the mantle plume, Iceland wouldn’t exist at all!

Want to see this powerful force in action? At the LAVA Centre, you can explore our interactive exhibition, including a room with a detailed model of the mantle plume beneath Iceland. Watch how magma rises from deep within the Earth! Visit us to dive deeper into Iceland’s fiery origins.

📍Hvolsvöllur (South Iceland)

08/02/2025

Did you know that Iceland is one of the few places on Earth that is actually getting bigger?

🌍Thanks to the dynamic forces beneath our feet, the island expands by about 2 cm every year as the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates pull apart.

This constant movement fuels the incredible volcanic and geothermal activity that makes Iceland so unique. 🌋✨

At LAVA Centre, you can see how these powerful forces shape the land, from deep magma chambers to fiery eruptions.

📍 Visit us in Hvolsvöllur to experience Iceland’s explosive growth firsthand!

#

07/02/2025

What is LAVA Centre? 🌋🔥

LAVA Centre is an interactive and immersive museum in Iceland, dedicated to the power of volcanoes and the forces that shape our planet. Here, you can explore the raw energy of lava flows, eruptions, and earthquakes through high-tech exhibits and real-time data.

Ever wondered how Iceland was formed? Or what it’s like to live next to an active volcano? 🌍✨

📍 Located in Hvolsvöllur, we’re your ultimate stop for understanding Iceland’s fiery heart. Come visit and feel the heat! 🔥

04/02/2025

⚠️ Storm Alert February 4–6, 2025! ⚠️

Attention travelers! A severe storm is expected across all of Iceland from Tuesday night to Thursday evening. Follow Safetravel.is Iceland for updates.

Here's what to expect:

🌬️ Strong winds: 20-30 m/s
❄️ Snowfall: Westfjords, West- and South Iceland (turning to rain later)
🌧️ Heavy rain: In other parts of the country
🚧 Road closures possible: Monitor road conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly

Stay safe and take precautions if you're on the move. For those needing a warm and safe place, remember that Lava Centre is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for a cozy and educational experience.

Check https://umferdin.is/en for updates and be prepared for changing weather conditions! Stay safe, everyone! 🌋

Road condition in Iceland

03/02/2025

In the last century (1924–2024), Iceland has experienced over 50 volcanic eruptions 🌋

Major Eruptions in Iceland (1924–2024):

🔥 Grímsvötn (One of Iceland’s most active volcanoes)
1934, 1983, 1998, 2004, 2011

🔥 Hekla (“Gateway to Hell,” known for explosive eruptions)
1947, 1970, 1980–81, 1991, 2000

🔥 Katla (One of Iceland’s most dangerous volcanoes, usually under Mýrdalsjökull glacier)
1918 (last major eruption), 1955, 1999 (minor activity), unrest in 2011 & 2022

🔥 Eyjafjallajökull (Famous for the 2010 ash cloud that disrupted global air traffic)
2010

🔥 Bárðarbunga – Holuhraun Eruption (Largest eruption in Iceland in 200 years)
2014–2015 (Massive lava flow covering ~85 km²)

🔥 Krafla Fires (A long-lasting volcanic episode in North Iceland)
1975–1984 (multiple eruptions)
1980, 1981, 1984 (significant lava flows)

🔥 Heimaey (Vestmannaeyjar) – A rare eruption within a town
1973 (Forced evacuation of the island’s population, lava nearly closed the harbor)

🔥 Surtsey – Formation of a new volcanic island
1963–1967 (One of the longest-lasting eruptions)

🔥 Askja – Large explosive eruptions
1961 (Last confirmed eruption, currently showing unrest)

🔥 Reykjanes Peninsula (Dormant for 800 years until new eruptions began in 2021)

01/02/2025

Want to learn more about Iceland’s volcanic power? Visit us at Lava Centre and experience it up close!

30/01/2025

🔥 Did you ever wonder if you could sink in lava? 🔥

Most people imagine lava like a liquid you could fall into and sink—but that’s not the case!

Lava is actually molten rock, and it’s incredibly dense. If you somehow ended up on a lava flow, you wouldn’t sink—you’d land on top and immediately catch fire due to the extreme heat (over 1,000°C!) 🥵

So while lava might look like a fiery ocean, it’s more like a scorching-hot moving rock. Not exactly a place for a swim! 🌋🔥

Tag a friend who’d find this mind-blowing! 🤯👇

21/01/2025

🌋 Spot the Red Logo – and Step Into Iceland’s Fiery Heart! 🔥

Driving along Iceland’s stunning south coast? Don’t miss the chance to visit the Lava Centre! Our red logo marks the spot where you can explore the fascinating world of volcanoes, earthquakes, and the forces that shape Iceland.

Step inside to experience interactive exhibits, stunning visuals, and learn the story of this land of fire and ice. Perfect for a quick stop or an unforgettable deep dive into Iceland’s geology.

We’re right on your way – see you soon!

19/01/2025

🌋 Step into the heart of Iceland’s volcanoes!

Our interactive exhibition brings you closer to the fiery giants that surround the Lava Centre. Explore their history, power, and the forces shaping this dynamic land.

Ready to uncover Iceland’s volcanic secrets? Visit us today!

13/01/2025

🌋 Hekla

Did you know that in the Middle Ages, people believed Hekla was an entrance to hell?

Its frequent and explosive eruptions earned it this fearsome reputation! 🌋

📍 Discover more about Iceland’s fiery giants at the Lava Centre!

12/01/2025

The Birth of Surtsey: A Volcanic Miracle 🌋

In the chilly waters south of Iceland, an extraordinary event unfolded in November 1963: a new island was born. Named Surtsey, after the fire giant Surtr in Norse mythology, this volcanic island rose from the depths of the North Atlantic, forever changing the landscape and providing scientists with a living laboratory to study the birth of land.

💥 The Beginning
Surtsey’s story began deep beneath the sea when a submarine volcanic eruption broke through the ocean floor, part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge system. As magma met water, explosive interactions created towering plumes of ash and steam. Over the next few months, the island grew, reaching a height of 174 meters above sea level at its peak.

🌱 A Natural Laboratory
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, Surtsey is off-limits to visitors except for scientists. This isolation allows researchers to study how life colonizes new land. From the first hardy mosses and seabirds to entire ecosystems forming, Surtsey reveals how nature begins anew.

🌊 Erosion and Change
Volcanic islands like Surtsey are constantly shaped by the elements. Wind and waves have worn away parts of the island, but its core remains intact, a testament to its resilience and the dynamic processes of Earth’s surface.

Surtsey is more than an island—it’s a window into the raw power of volcanic activity and the delicate balance of life. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to witness an island being born?

📍 Learn more about Surtsey and other volcanic wonders at the Lava Centre!

11/01/2025

🌋 Have you seen Lava Centre’s wall of fame? ✨

Step into Iceland’s fiery history and witness the incredible power of nature! 🌏
At the Lava Centre, our eruption corridor showcases every volcanic eruption in Iceland in recent years.

Dive into the timeline of Iceland’s volcanic heartbeat—each eruption a reminder of the dynamic forces shaping our island.

Which eruption do you remember most vividly? Or are you waiting to witness the next one?

📍 Visit us at the Lava Centre and immerse yourself in the story of Iceland’s volcanoes!