About
Katla is a volcano in southern Iceland, lying beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. From the surface you see mainly ice, so the mountain itself is easy to miss, but it is one of the country's most powerful and historically active volcanoes.
What to expect
Katla has erupted roughly every 40 to 80 years, and its last major eruption came in 1918. That eruption produced dramatic jökulhlaups, or glacial floods, which are sudden surges of meltwater rushing out from under the ice. The history is part of what makes a visit here so compelling: the landscape around you has been shaped repeatedly by these events.
Visitors come to the area for two main experiences:
- Ice caves in the glacier above the volcano, which give a close look at the blue and white ice.
- Black sand beaches, formed by material from previous eruptions, which you can hike along.
Planning a visit
Because Katla sits under a glacier in a remote part of the country, a trip here is best treated as an outdoor excursion. Conditions on ice and on exposed coastline can change, so it is wise to check current advice before you set out and to go with the right clothing and guidance.
The volcano is part of a wider region of southern Iceland known for its striking scenery of glaciers, volcanic plains and dark coastline. If you are already travelling in the area, Katla makes a memorable addition to the route, offering a chance to see how an active volcano and an ice sheet exist side by side.