A powerful earthquake swarm took place south of Þingvallavatn lake in South Iceland at noon today, Wednesday. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reports that the most powerful tremor was a 3.8 magnitude quake which took place at 11:56. This quake was felt clearly in Reykjavík. A second, slightly smaller 2.8 magnitude quake was detected half an hour earlier at 11:26. The two quakes have been accompanied by a large swarm of smaller quakes.
The larger quake was originally estimated to have been 3.4 magnitude, but the original reading has been updated by the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
The quakes originate 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 miles) north east of Hrómundartindur mountain which is to the south of Þingvallavatn lake. To the immediate west of Hrómundartindur is the volcano Hengill, one of the most active volcanic and geothermal hot-spots in Iceland. Two geothermal power stations are located in the foothills of Hengill, Hellisheiði power station and Nesjavellir power station.
A total of 24 smaller quakes, the largest measuring 1.3 on the Richter scale, have been detected in the same area today, the latest at 12:38. The activity appears to be ongoing and shows no sign of dying down. One smaller quake has also been detected on the west coast of Þingvallavatn lake.
Þingvellir is located in a tectonic rift valley, crated by the drifting apart of the European and North American tectonic plates.
A powerful earthquake swarm took place south of Þingvallavatn lake in South Iceland at noon today, Wednesday. The Icelandic Meteorological Office reports that the most powerful tremor was a 3.8 magnitude quake which took place at 11:56. This quake was felt clearly in Reykjavík. A second, slightly smaller 2.8 magnitude quake was detected half an hour earlier at 11:26. The two quakes have been accompanied by a large swarm of smaller quakes.
The larger quake was originally estimated to have been 3.4 magnitude, but the original reading has been updated by the Icelandic Meteorological Office.
The quakes originate 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 miles) north east of Hrómundartindur mountain which is to the south of Þingvallavatn lake. To the immediate west of Hrómundartindur is the volcano Hengill, one of the most active volcanic and geothermal hot-spots in Iceland. Two geothermal power stations are located in the foothills of Hengill, Hellisheiði power station and Nesjavellir power station.
A total of 24 smaller quakes, the largest measuring 1.3 on the Richter scale, have been detected in the same area today, the latest at 12:38. The activity appears to be ongoing and shows no sign of dying down. One smaller quake has also been detected on the west coast of Þingvallavatn lake.
Þingvellir is located in a tectonic rift valley, crated by the drifting apart of the European and North American tectonic plates.
