At 7:09 this morning a powerful 3.5 magnitude quake was detected in the center of the caldera of the volcano Katla, located beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the Icelandic Meteorological Office reports. The quake was followed by a swarm of smaller tremors inside the caldera.
Read more: As Þingvellir tremble, giant volcano Bárðarbunga stirs with powerful quake
This is the third major earthquake to hit Iceland in the past 24 hours. Yesterday, at noon, a powerful 3.7 magnitude quake was detected south of Þingvallavatn lake, accompanied by a swarm of nearly a hundred smaller quakes. Yesterday evening a second powerful 3.7 magnitude quake was detected in the Bárðarbunga volcano, beneath Vatnajökull glacier.
Sub glacial eruptions in either Bárðarbunga or Katla could pose serious challenges to air traffic in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists believe the effects could dwarf the impact of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption.
Read more: Nearly a hundred smaller quakes have followed yesterday's powerful quake S. of Þingvellir
Bárðarbunga and Katla are two of Iceland's most powerful volcanoes, both have been very active in the past several years. An eruption in the Bárðarbunga system in 2014-2015 produced the largest lava field in Iceland since the 18th century. Katla, in turn, is well overdue for an eruption. The Icelandic Meteorological Office is monitoring the situation closely, and we will keep you updated as news comes in.
At 7:09 this morning a powerful 3.5 magnitude quake was detected in the center of the caldera of the volcano Katla, located beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the Icelandic Meteorological Office reports. The quake was followed by a swarm of smaller tremors inside the caldera.
Read more: As Þingvellir tremble, giant volcano Bárðarbunga stirs with powerful quake
This is the third major earthquake to hit Iceland in the past 24 hours. Yesterday, at noon, a powerful 3.7 magnitude quake was detected south of Þingvallavatn lake, accompanied by a swarm of nearly a hundred smaller quakes. Yesterday evening a second powerful 3.7 magnitude quake was detected in the Bárðarbunga volcano, beneath Vatnajökull glacier.
Sub glacial eruptions in either Bárðarbunga or Katla could pose serious challenges to air traffic in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists believe the effects could dwarf the impact of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption.
Read more: Nearly a hundred smaller quakes have followed yesterday's powerful quake S. of Þingvellir
Bárðarbunga and Katla are two of Iceland's most powerful volcanoes, both have been very active in the past several years. An eruption in the Bárðarbunga system in 2014-2015 produced the largest lava field in Iceland since the 18th century. Katla, in turn, is well overdue for an eruption. The Icelandic Meteorological Office is monitoring the situation closely, and we will keep you updated as news comes in.
