Iceland Lava Centre: Interactive Volcano & Earthquake Experience

Summary

Volcanoes come alive at iceland’s lava centre with hands-on exhibits and local stories

You’ll step right into Iceland’s volcanic story at the Lava Centre—feel earthquakes shake beneath your feet, explore glowing magma displays, and hear local guides share what it means to live on shifting ground. Watch real eruption footage in their cinema or just stand on the deck taking in those wild South Coast views—it stays with you.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway through the South Coast drive from Reykjavík when we spotted the Lava Centre — kind of hard to miss, honestly, with that modern glass-and-steel look against all those mossy fields. The place buzzed with this low hum of families and a couple of older folks chatting in German near the entrance. Inside, it smelled faintly metallic (maybe all the tech?) and something like fresh rain on stone. Our guide, Ása, greeted us with a grin and immediately asked if we’d ever felt an earthquake before. I hadn’t — not really — so she laughed and told me to brace myself for later.

The exhibition itself is wild — you get to poke at digital maps showing where eruptions happened, and there’s this replica of the magma plume under Iceland that glows red in a dark room. I kept touching the panels even though I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to; they’re surprisingly warm to the touch. Ása explained how the North Atlantic Ridge is basically tearing Iceland apart (her words), and then she pointed out how fast the plates move — “about as fast as your fingernails grow,” she said, which made me look down at my hands for some reason. There’s an earthquake simulator too; it rattled so much that my coffee nearly jumped out of my cup. Not gonna lie, my heart sped up a bit.

After wandering through all these interactive volcano displays (the main keyword just sort of fits here), we watched a short film about recent eruptions. It’s loud — like you can almost feel the heat coming off the screen — but also weirdly beautiful. Out on the observation deck afterward, everything felt quiet except for some wind whipping around our jackets and a kid laughing somewhere below. I stood there for a while, staring at distant mountains and thinking about how small you feel in a place like this. Still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Lava Centre volcano exhibition

• Arrive at Lava Centre
• Explore interactive volcano exhibits
• Experience earthquake simulator
• Watch recent eruption movie
• Enjoy observation deck views

Top questions

Is the Lava Centre exhibition wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants or small children visit the Lava Centre?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller inside.

Does entry include both exhibition and cinema?

You can choose exhibition only, cinema only, or both combined when booking.

Are service animals allowed at the Lava Centre?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout the centre.

Where is the Lava Centre located?

The Lava Centre is on Iceland’s main road heading east from Reykjavík toward Katla GeoPark.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the centre.

What will I learn at the interactive volcano exhibition?

You’ll learn about Iceland’s volcanic history, tectonic plates movement, types of volcanoes, and recent eruptions.

How long does a typical visit last?

This isn’t specified but most visitors spend 1-2 hours exploring both exhibition and cinema.

What’s included

Your visit includes access to interactive volcano exhibits with digital maps and simulators, entry to their cinema showing recent eruption footage if chosen, plus all areas are wheelchair accessible—and you’ll get local insights from staff like Ása along the way.