Iceland: Earthquake near Reykjavik – volcanic eruption possible very soon

Iceland
Thousands of small earthquakes near Reykjavik – volcanic eruption possible very soon

A volcano near the Icelandic capital Reykjavik may be about to erupt. More than 4,000 earthquakes have been registered in the region in recent days. Experts assume that the eruption could happen in a few hours or days.

A wave of around 4700 earthquakes in Iceland raises fears of a volcanic eruption near the capital Reykjavik. The tremors have been occurring since Tuesday in the region around the Fagradalsfjall volcano, around 30 kilometers from the capital, the Icelandic weather agency said IMO on Thursday morning with

The strongest earthquake occurred on Wednesday and had a magnitude of 4.8. The strongest tremors were clearly felt in the southwestern part of Iceland. Further seismic activity is to be expected in the evening; However, the tremors have subsided in the meantime, reports Icelandic radio RÚV. The broadcaster has set up live streams from webcams in the area.

International airport monitors situation

According to the authority, the tremors began below the known magma rise zone under Fagradalsfjall at a depth of about eight kilometers and rose to a depth of four kilometers within five hours. Since Wednesday morning, the seismicity has reached a depth of about two to three kilometers. The earthquakes “climb” so to speak more and more to the earth’s surface. The strength of the tremors also increased.

The weather service has increased the flight warning level from “green” to “orange”. The warning system is intended to alert aviation about the danger of a Notify of volcanic eruption. So far, according to information from RÚV no flights affected; Keflavík International Airport is monitoring the situation.

According to the IMO no “eruption shock” was initially detected at the volcano. The probability that this will happen “in the next few hours to days” has increased. There is a possibility that the activity will end without an eruption. The probability of an imminent volcanic eruption is classified as high.

Warnings to tourists about impending volcanic eruption

Geologists and IMO therefore warn tourists. “There are reports of tourists flocking to the area, but I find that very worrying because in reality you don’t know where people are and you don’t know where an eruption would take place,” said Jóhann Helgason RÚV. Lava flows could quickly encircle and cut off areas. So far, however, the area around the volcano has not been cordoned off.

Current earthquake activity is similar to that observed last summer when the volcano erupted, according to IMO. The Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes peninsula had already erupted in 2022 and 2021. The current earthquake pattern is similar to last year’s.

Volcanologist Þorvaldur Þórðarson told Morgunblaðið newspaper on Wednesday that there are signs – including the shallow depth of the earthquakes – that a large amount of lava has accumulated beneath the surface. The expert assumes that the eruption could be larger than the eruptions in 2021 and 2022 due to the extent of land uplift in the affected area.

Iceland the largest and most active volcanic area in Europe

The eruptions of recent years and the eruption that is now imminent could point to increased volcanic activity in the region in the coming decades or even centuries. In March 2021, the last volcanic activity on Reykjanes was eight centuries ago.

Iceland is the largest and most active volcanic area in Europe. The eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in 2010 should have been remembered by many. Huge amounts of ash were thrown into the atmosphere and brought air traffic in Europe to a standstill. Many airports had to be closed for days.

Sources: AFP news agency, Weather Authority IMO, RÚV, “The Reykjavik Grapevine”