Two powerful earthquake swarms were detected in sub glacial volcanoes yesterday afternoon. The quakes in Bárðarbunga and Torfajökull are not believed to be an indication of impending volcanic activity. Seismic activity is very common in Bárðarbunga, and while Torfajökull does not tremble as frequently as Bárðarbunga it is know for regular tremors.
Read more: Cracks and sinkholes in Central Highlands connected to activity in Bárðarbunga volcano
The two earthquake swarms included three significant magnitude 3+ quakes. According to the Seismic Monitoring System of the Icelandic Meteorological office the first quake, a 3.5 magnitude tremor in the caldera of Bárðarbunga volcano at a depth of 2.9 km (1.8 mi) hit at 15:05 in the afternoon. This one tremor was not followed by any aftershocks, but an hour later a powerful earthquake swarm hit Torfajökull volcano, north of Mýrdalsjökull glacier in the southern Central Highlands.
A 3.8 magnitude tremor with an epicenter 9.1 km (5.7 mi) north of Álftavatn lake in Fjallabak Nature Preserve, at a depth of 3.6 km (2.2 mi) hit at 16:24. Three minutes later a second powerful shock, a 3.3 magnitude quake was detected furher south, 7.6 km (4.7 mi) north of Álftavatn, at a depth of 1.2 km (0.7 mi). A dozen smaller tremors followed the two quakes. The activity as to the west of Torfajökull glacier, which is located on the eastern rim of the volcano's caldera.
Read more: Quick primer on Bárðarbunga, Iceland's most powerful volcano
Both Bárðarbunga and Torfajökull are active volcanoes. Bárðarbunga last erupted in 2014-15, and is believed to be re-filling its magma chamber. Bárðarbunga has historically erupted in drawn-out episodes of several eruptions. Torfajökull has erupted only twice since Iceland was settled in the ninth century, in 870 and 1480. The two volcanoes seem to be connected, as both eruptions in Torfajökull took place at the same time as eruptions in the Bárðarbunga system.
Two powerful earthquake swarms were detected in sub glacial volcanoes yesterday afternoon. The quakes in Bárðarbunga and Torfajökull are not believed to be an indication of impending volcanic activity. Seismic activity is very common in Bárðarbunga, and while Torfajökull does not tremble as frequently as Bárðarbunga it is know for regular tremors.
Read more: Cracks and sinkholes in Central Highlands connected to activity in Bárðarbunga volcano
The two earthquake swarms included three significant magnitude 3+ quakes. According to the Seismic Monitoring System of the Icelandic Meteorological office the first quake, a 3.5 magnitude tremor in the caldera of Bárðarbunga volcano at a depth of 2.9 km (1.8 mi) hit at 15:05 in the afternoon. This one tremor was not followed by any aftershocks, but an hour later a powerful earthquake swarm hit Torfajökull volcano, north of Mýrdalsjökull glacier in the southern Central Highlands.
A 3.8 magnitude tremor with an epicenter 9.1 km (5.7 mi) north of Álftavatn lake in Fjallabak Nature Preserve, at a depth of 3.6 km (2.2 mi) hit at 16:24. Three minutes later a second powerful shock, a 3.3 magnitude quake was detected furher south, 7.6 km (4.7 mi) north of Álftavatn, at a depth of 1.2 km (0.7 mi). A dozen smaller tremors followed the two quakes. The activity as to the west of Torfajökull glacier, which is located on the eastern rim of the volcano's caldera.
Read more: Quick primer on Bárðarbunga, Iceland's most powerful volcano
Both Bárðarbunga and Torfajökull are active volcanoes. Bárðarbunga last erupted in 2014-15, and is believed to be re-filling its magma chamber. Bárðarbunga has historically erupted in drawn-out episodes of several eruptions. Torfajökull has erupted only twice since Iceland was settled in the ninth century, in 870 and 1480. The two volcanoes seem to be connected, as both eruptions in Torfajökull took place at the same time as eruptions in the Bárðarbunga system.
