Lava Academy by Lava Show
Lava Academy by Lava Show
Podcast Description
Welcome to Lava Academy, the official podcast from the team behind Lava Show in Iceland — the world’s only live Lava Show! Hosted by Ian McKinnon and Heiðar Ragnheiðarson. 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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the science and fascination of volcanoes, covering topics such as the formation of volcanoes, eruption styles, and the geological significance of Iceland. Example episodes include interviews with geologists discussing volcanic fundamentals and the unique geological activity of Iceland, as well as exploring lava types and myths surrounding eruptions.
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.
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.
Disclaimer
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