Iceland experiences frequent volcanic activity, due to its location both on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent tectonic plate boundary, and being over a hotspot. Nearly thirty volcanoes are known to have erupted in the Holocene epoch; these include Eldgjá, source of the largest lava eruption in human history. Some of the various eruptions of lava, gas and ash have been both destructive of property and deadly to life over the years, as well as disruptive to local and European air travel.
The volcano system in Iceland that started activity on August 17, 2014, and ended on February 27, 2015, is Bárðarbunga.
The volcano in Iceland that erupted in May 2011 is Grímsvötn.
Outlines of central volcanoes in Iceland. Other shading shows: '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000004-QINU`"' calderas, '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000005-QINU`"'central volcanoes and '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000006-QINU`"'fissure swarms, '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000007-QINU`"'subglacial terrain above 1,100m (3,600ft), and '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000008-QINU`"'seismically active areas. Clicking on the image enlarges to full window and enables mouse-over with more detail.