It erupted during interglacials in the Pleistocene,[3] and is in proximity to the Prestahnúkur and Oddnýjarhnjúkur-Langjökull volcanic systems.

The volcano was once topped by the Okjökull glacier, which may now only be represented by isolated patches of ice,[4] even if still shown on current maps.

[5] At its top is the crater lake of Blávatn,[5] which can freeze over.

[6] While the volcano itself historically had little attention, its absent glacier has been used to symbolise recent climate change.

[4][7][8] The lost glacier was the subject of a documentary, Not Ok, in 2018, produced by Cymene Howe and Dominic Boyer.