Hekla

Hekla is a volcano in southern Iceland that has long been one of the country's most active and recognizable volcanic features. It sits near the eastern end of Iceland's south coast, close to the town of Hella, about 110 kilometers east of Reykjavik. The summit reaches about 1,490 meters above sea level. Hekla is a stratovolcano and forms part of a frequently active volcanic system that has produced numerous eruptions throughout Iceland's history.

Since the 9th century, Hekla has erupted repeatedly, with bursts of explosive activity interspersed with quieter periods. Eruptions have often featured powerful ash plumes, pumice deposits, and lava flows, and some events generated pyroclastic surges. Because of their intensity and short onset, they earned Hekla the medieval nickname 'the Gate to Hell' in Icelandic folklore.

Present-day monitoring by Icelandic authorities and researchers tracks seismic activity, ground deformation, gas emissions, and eruption precursors to provide warnings. Eruptions pose hazards such as ash fall to nearby areas and disruption to air travel across Europe.

Geologically, Hekla has grown by repeated eruptions that produce a steep cone with multiple craters. The volcano has erupted from a central vent as well as fissures, and its activity has significantly reshaped the surrounding landscape and tephra layers in the region.

The name Hekla is of Old Norse origin with meanings related to sharpness or shape, and the volcano features prominently in Icelandic folklore and literature as a symbol of natural volatility in the region.