No latest activity reported for Bárdarbunga.

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Barth T F W, 1950. Volcanic geology, hot springs, and geysers of Iceland. {Carnegie Inst Wash Pub}, 587: 1-126

Bjornsson H, Einarsson P, 1990. Volcanoes beneath Vatnajokull, Iceland: evidence from radio echo-sounding, earthquakes and jokulhlaups. {Jokull}, 40: 147-168

Gudmundsson A T, 1986a. Eruptions at Dyngjuhals in the 18th century. {Natturufraedingurinn}, 56: 43-48 (in Icelandic with English summary)

IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. {IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior}.

Jakobsson S P, 1979. Petrology of recent basalts of the eastern volcanic zone, Iceland. {Acta Nat Islandica}, 26: 1-103

Johannesson H, Saemundsson K, 1998. Geological map of Iceland, 1:500,000. Tectonics. {Icelandic Inst Nat Hist, Reykjavik}

Kjartansson G, 1964. {Geological Map of Iceland, Sheet 5, Central Iceland}. Reykjavik: Museum Nat Hist Dept Geol Geog, 1:250,000 geol map

Larsen G, 1984. Recent volcanic history of the Veidivotn fissure swarm, southern Iceland - an approach to volcanic risk assessment. {J Volc Geotherm Res}, 22: 33-58

Larsen G, Gudmundsson M T, Bjornsson H, 1998. Eight centuries of periodic volcanism at the center of the hotspot revealed by glacier tephrostratigraphy. {Geology}, 26: 943-946

Mork M E, 1984. Magma mixing in the post-glacial Veidivotn fissure eruption, southeast Iceland: a microprobe study of mineral and glass variations. {Lithos}, 17: 55-75

Steinthorsson S, et al., 2002. {Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World - Iceland}. {Unpublished manuscript}

Thordarson T, Hoskuldsson A, 2008. Postglacial eruptions in Iceland. {Jokull}, 58: 197-228

Vilmundardottir E G, Gudmundsson A, Snorrason S P, Larsen G, 1990. Geological map, Botnafjoll, 1913 IV, 1:50,000. {Iceland Geodetic Surv, Natl Energy Authority and Natl Power Company, Reykjavik}

Vilmundardottir E G, Snorrason S P, Larsen G, Gudmundsson A, 1988. {Geological Map, Sigalda-Veidivotn 3340 B, 1:50,000}. Reykjavik: Natl Energy Authority, Hydro Power Div and Natl Power Company

The large central volcano of Bárdarbunga lies beneath the NW part of the Vatnajökull icecap, NW of Grímsvötn volcano, and contains a subglacial 700-m-deep caldera. Related fissure systems include the Veidivötn and Trollagigar fissures, which extend about 100 km SW to near Torfajökull volcano and 50 km NE to near Askja volcano, respectively. Voluminous fissure eruptions, including one at Thjorsarhraun, which produced the largest known Holocene lava flow on Earth with a volume of more than 21 cu km, have occurred throughout the Holocene into historical time from the Veidivötn fissure system. The last major eruption of Veidivötn, in 1477, also produced a large tephra deposit. The subglacial Loki-Fögrufjöll volcanic system located SW of Bárdarbunga volcano is also part of the Bárdarbunga volcanic system and contains two subglacial ridges extending from the largely subglacial Hamarinn central volcano; the Loki ridge trends to the NE and the Fögrufjöll ridge to the SW. Jökulhlaups (glacier-outburst floods) from eruptions at Bárdarbunga potentially affect drainages in all directions.