What happens when one of the biggest eruptions in Iceland’s history meets modern-day science?

In the latest episode of the Lava Academy Podcast, host Iain MacKinnon sits down with geologist Glen L’Estrange to explore the incredible story of the Eldgjá eruption—a volcanic event so powerful it reshaped landscapes, displaced early settlers, and left behind clues that scientists are still uncovering today.

This episode takes you far beyond the surface of Iceland’s volcanic landscapes.

You’ll discover:

It’s a fascinating blend of science, storytelling, and real-world relevance—perfect for anyone curious about volcanoes, Iceland, or the forces shaping our planet.

Glen is a volcanology master’s student and research assistant at the University of Iceland, currently studying some of the country’s largest historical eruptions. He also works at Lava Show as a Lava Master.

In this episode, he shares insights from his fieldwork—digging through layers of volcanic ash (tephra), camping in remote highlands, and piecing together the story of an eruption that happened over a thousand years ago.

The Eldgjá eruption occurred around 937–940 AD and stretched across a fissure system roughly 75 kilometres long—over ten times larger than recent eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula. But what makes this episode truly compelling isn’t just the scale—it’s how scientists like Glen are able to reconstruct these events using volcanic “fingerprints” preserved in Iceland’s soil. From ash layers that act like a geological barcode to fieldwork stories involving river crossings and Icelandic weather at its worst, this episode brings both the science and the human side of volcanology to life.

This isn’t just a story about the past.

Understanding eruptions like Eldgjá helps scientists prepare for the future—especially in a country like Iceland, where volcanic activity is part of everyday life.

As Glen explains, modern monitoring systems give us a huge advantage—but large-scale eruptions still pose questions we don’t fully have answers to yet.

Whether you’re a volcano enthusiast, planning a trip to Iceland, or just love a great science story, this episode is not to be missed.

Read an article on Eldgjá by geologist Jessica Poteet.