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Memories of the largest lava flood in the history of Iceland, recorded in an apocalyptic medieval poem, were used to drive the island’s conversion to Christianity, new research suggests. 

An international group of researchers has dated a large volcanic eruption in Iceland to within a few months. ̽»¨Ö±²¥eruption, which is the oldest volcanic eruption to be precisely dated at high northern latitudes, occurred shortly before the first permanent human settlements were established, when parts of the now mostly treeless island were still covered with forest. 

In 2014, Cambridge researchers monitored a series of seismic shocks which preceded Iceland’s biggest volcanic eruption in 200 years. ̽»¨Ö±²¥dramatic story of their work, and its scientific value, is now part of this year’s Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition.

Rebecca Merkelbach (Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic) discusses the monstrous heroes of Scandinavian mythology and literature.

A team of researchers from Cambridge’s Department of Earth Sciences have recently returned from Iceland where, thanks to a bit of luck, they have gathered the most extensive dataset ever from a volcanic eruption, which will likely yield considerable new insights into how molten rock moves underground, and whether or not it erupts.

A decommissioned Land Rover ambulance will be home to Cambridge ̽»¨Ö±²¥â€™s Dr Emily Lethbridge from December – as she begins an epic year-long research trip around Iceland investigating the deep-rooted significance of its centuries-old sagas.