Hekla is traditionally called Iceland's most active volcano.
The steep volcanic ridge lies in southern Iceland and has erupted repeatedly since the settlement period. Medieval Europeans sometimes regarded Hekla as a gateway to hell, reflecting the fear created by its ash-producing eruptions and frequent activity.
Hekla's eruptions can begin with little warning and often combine explosive ash emissions with lava flows. Its major historical eruptions include events in 1104, 1300, 1766, and 1947. The 1104 eruption spread ash across much of Iceland and damaged farms in the surrounding region.
Hekla is not Iceland's only dangerous volcano. Katla, Askja, Bárðarbunga, and Eyjafjallajökull have also produced important eruptions. Eyjafjallajökull became especially famous after its 2010 eruption disrupted European air travel, but that event does not make it Iceland's most active volcano.