Geography and Climate
A community-curated guide by Iranian-Icelandic Community
Overview
Iceland is a large island in the North Atlantic Ocean, covering 103,000 km². It has extensive volcanic activity, geothermal energy, glaciers, and lava fields. About 75% of the territory is uninhabited highland; settlements are mainly along the coasts. The largest glacier is Vatnajökull in the southeast — the largest in Europe.
Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Earthquakes are frequent but usually far from populated areas. Buildings are earthquake-resistant. Notable eruptions: Eyjafjallajökull (2010), Geldingardalur (2021–2022). If indoors during an earthquake: take cover under a table, protect your head, and stay away from windows. If outdoors: duck, cover, and hold. If driving: stop the car and stay inside with your seatbelt on.
Climate and Daily Life
Summer average temperature is around 10°C; winter ranges from -10°C to 0°C. Weather changes very rapidly. The Met Office issues 4-level alerts (green to red): www.vedur.is. Winter brings heavy snow and very short daylight hours; summer is bright for 24 hours. Northern lights are visible from September to March. Wear ice-grip footwear in winter.