Seismic activity continues along the Reykjanes ridge, increasing the likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the Eldey volcano, west of Reykjanes Peninsula.
Over 200 quakes, some felt in the Capital Region and out at sea
The current seismic activity began around nine on Tuesday night and has continued since then with short intermissions. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office over two hundred earthquakes have been recorded in the Reykjanes peninsula.
The vast majority of the quakes are either classified as “micro” or “minor”, but several quakes have been estimated to be of a magnitude greater than 4.0. Quakes of the magnitude 4.0-4.9 are classified as “light”, while those in the 5.0-5.9 range are classified as “moderate”.
The largest quakes are estimated at 5.0 on the Richter scale. The quakes have been felt in the Capital Region. The crew of a fishing vessel, located 10 kilometres from the epicentre of the activity also reported having felt the tremor.
Activity driven by magma movement in the crust
Kristín Jónsdóttir, at the Icelandic Met Office tells the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that the seismic activity is taking place along the Reykjanes ridge, where the European and Atlantic tectonic plates diverge. “The plates are moving away from each other, and this movement takes place at a snail’s pace, but sometimes it takes place in sprints, as it is doing now.” She adds the current activity is most likely driven by movements of magma in the earth’s crust. However, there are no signs of an imminent eruption. “But it is of course a possibility, and we will continue to monitor the situation”.
The Eldey volcano, named after the island of Eldey, a 77 metre high sheer rock, which was known to British sailors as “Count Rock”, is the westernmost volcano of Iceland, located under the sea west of Reykjanes peninsula. The island of Eldey was formed when the volcano erupted in 1210-1240.
Seismic activity continues along the Reykjanes ridge, increasing the likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the Eldey volcano, west of Reykjanes Peninsula.
Over 200 quakes, some felt in the Capital Region and out at sea
The current seismic activity began around nine on Tuesday night and has continued since then with short intermissions. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office over two hundred earthquakes have been recorded in the Reykjanes peninsula.
The vast majority of the quakes are either classified as “micro” or “minor”, but several quakes have been estimated to be of a magnitude greater than 4.0. Quakes of the magnitude 4.0-4.9 are classified as “light”, while those in the 5.0-5.9 range are classified as “moderate”.
The largest quakes are estimated at 5.0 on the Richter scale. The quakes have been felt in the Capital Region. The crew of a fishing vessel, located 10 kilometres from the epicentre of the activity also reported having felt the tremor.
Activity driven by magma movement in the crust
Kristín Jónsdóttir, at the Icelandic Met Office tells the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that the seismic activity is taking place along the Reykjanes ridge, where the European and Atlantic tectonic plates diverge. “The plates are moving away from each other, and this movement takes place at a snail’s pace, but sometimes it takes place in sprints, as it is doing now.” She adds the current activity is most likely driven by movements of magma in the earth’s crust. However, there are no signs of an imminent eruption. “But it is of course a possibility, and we will continue to monitor the situation”.
The Eldey volcano, named after the island of Eldey, a 77 metre high sheer rock, which was known to British sailors as “Count Rock”, is the westernmost volcano of Iceland, located under the sea west of Reykjanes peninsula. The island of Eldey was formed when the volcano erupted in 1210-1240.
