A brief but sharp earthquake swarm was detected in the Bárðarbunga caldera before noon today, Friday. The relatively short swarm, which counted just a handful of quakes, included one relatively powerful 4.2 magnitude quake. According to the seismic monitoring system of the the Icelandic Meteorological Office the epicenter of this quake was in the north eastern part of the volcano's caldera, at a depth of 1.2 km (0.75 mi). Any earthquake more powerful than 3 on the Richter scale is considered a very significant geological event when it takes place in a volcano, where it is caused by movements of magma.
Read more: Quick primer on Bárðarbunga, Iceland's most powerful volcano
The Bárðarbunga system has been showing increasing levels of activity for the past year or so, following the 2014-15 Holuhraun eruption at the northern edge of the system. Significant and powerful earthquakes are relatively common in the volcano. Scientists believe the activity is caused by magma being thrusting itself into the magma chambers of Bárðarbunga, readying the volcano for a second eruption. Bárðarbunga has historically erupted in drawn out episodes with shorter pauses in between eruptions.
Read more: Cracks and sinkholes in Central Highlands connected to activity in Bárðarbunga volcano
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A brief but sharp earthquake swarm was detected in the Bárðarbunga caldera before noon today, Friday. The relatively short swarm, which counted just a handful of quakes, included one relatively powerful 4.2 magnitude quake. According to the seismic monitoring system of the the Icelandic Meteorological Office the epicenter of this quake was in the north eastern part of the volcano's caldera, at a depth of 1.2 km (0.75 mi). Any earthquake more powerful than 3 on the Richter scale is considered a very significant geological event when it takes place in a volcano, where it is caused by movements of magma.
Read more: Quick primer on Bárðarbunga, Iceland's most powerful volcano
The Bárðarbunga system has been showing increasing levels of activity for the past year or so, following the 2014-15 Holuhraun eruption at the northern edge of the system. Significant and powerful earthquakes are relatively common in the volcano. Scientists believe the activity is caused by magma being thrusting itself into the magma chambers of Bárðarbunga, readying the volcano for a second eruption. Bárðarbunga has historically erupted in drawn out episodes with shorter pauses in between eruptions.
Read more: Cracks and sinkholes in Central Highlands connected to activity in Bárðarbunga volcano
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