Welcome to Lava Academy, the official podcast from the team behind Lava Show in Iceland — the world’s only live Lava Show! Hosted by Iain MacKinnon and Jon Heidar Ragnheidarson. Each monthly episode dives into the explosive world of volcanoes. From Iceland’s fiery fissures to famous eruptions around the globe, we explore how volcanoes form, why they erupt, and what they mean for the people who live near them. With expert guests like geologists and volcanologists, Lava Academy blends science, storytelling, and first-hand experience. Whether you’re a curious traveler, a student of earth science, or just fascinated by molten rock, this show brings the power and mystery of volcanic activity straight to your ears. Get ready for lava facts, eruption myths, behind-the-scenes stories from Lava Show, and much more. Subscribe and join us each month as we journey into Earth’s most dynamic forces.
Lava Academy by Lava Show
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Podcast Overview
Welcome to Lava Academy, the official podcast from the team behind Lava Show in Iceland — the world’s only live Lava Show! Hosted by Iain MacKinnon and Jon Heidar Ragnheidarson. Each monthly episode dives into the explosive world of volcanoes. From Iceland’s fiery fissures to famous eruptions around the globe, we explore how volcanoes form, why they erupt, and what they mean for the people who live near them. With expert guests like geologists and volcanologists, Lava Academy blends science, storytelling, and first-hand experience. Whether you’re a curious traveler, a student of earth science, or just fascinated by molten rock, this show brings the power and mystery of volcanic activity straight to your ears. Get ready for lava facts, eruption myths, behind-the-scenes stories from Lava Show, and much more. Subscribe and join us each month as we journey into Earth’s most dynamic forces.
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Publishing Since
5/28/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 20, 2026
The extraordinary story of the volcanic island Surtsey
In November 1963, a volcanic eruption broke through the Atlantic Ocean south of Iceland and created Surtsey—one of the world’s youngest islands and an extraordinary natural laboratory. Host Iain MacKinnon is joined by Birgir Vilhelm Óskarsson, researcher at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland and board member of the Surtsey Research Society, and Hólmfríður Sigurðardóttir, Chairperson the Surtsey Research Society. Together, they explore how Surtsey rose from the sea, how plants and animals colonised its barren landscape, the mystery of human footprints preserved in volcanic rock, and why the Atlantic Ocean is slowly reclaiming the island. Discover what Surtsey continues to teach scientists about volcanoes, erosion and the remarkable resilience of life. Links The Surtsey Research Society site has a wealth of information about Surtsey.
June 29, 2026
From Shire to Wasteland: The Catastrophic Story of Öræfajökull
In this episode of the Lava Academy Podcast, Ian McKinnon and Ragnhildur Ágústsdóttir are joined by volcanologist and petrology PhD candidate Helga Torfadóttir to explore one of Iceland’s most powerful and overlooked volcanoes: Öræfajökull. Hidden beneath glacier ice in southeast Iceland, Öræfajökull is Iceland’s highest peak — and the site of one of the most catastrophic eruptions in the country’s history. Helga takes us back to the devastating 1362 eruption, when a peaceful farming region was transformed into a ruined wasteland, reshaping both the landscape and Icelandic memory. Together, we discuss explosive eruptions, ash clouds, tephra, glacial outburst floods, pyroclastic density currents, lost historical records, and why this “silent and sneaky” volcano is so challenging to monitor today. We also dive into Helga’s fascinating research, including how she recreates possible eruption conditions in tiny gold capsules to better understand what may be happening deep beneath Öræfajökull. A gripping mix of science, history, hazards, and Icelandic nature — this episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by volcanoes. Listen now, follow the Lava Academy Podcast, and join us as we uncover the stories behind Iceland’s volcanic giants.
May 11, 2026
Iceland’s Largest Eruption
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. Why You Should Listen This episode takes you far beyond the surface of Iceland’s volcanic landscapes. You’ll discover: What made the Eldgjá eruption one of the largest in Iceland’s history Just how massive a 75 km-long fissure eruption really is How scientists reconstruct eruptions from over 1,000 years ago The real-world impacts on people, landscapes, and even global climate What a similar eruption could mean for Iceland today 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. Meet the Guest: Glen L’Estrange 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. A Glimpse Into the Episode 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. More Than Just History 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. Listen Now 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. Tune in to the latest episode of the Lava Academy Podcast and discover the story behind one of Iceland’s most powerful eruptions. Link Read an article on Eldgjá by geologist Jessica Poteet.
12 total episodes available
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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