Yesterday's sharp 3.1 magnitude quake in Öræfajökull is a reminder that Iceland's second deadliest volcano is waking up from centuries of slumber. It is still too early to say if the volcano will go back to sleep before blowing. Volcanoes are known to rumble and tremble for as much as a dozen years, showing signs of preparing for an eruption, before actually erupting – or going back to sleep. Katla, for example, has been preparing to blow, filling its lava chambers and trembling, being 20-40 years overdue for an eruption, but we could wait for 10 more years before we actually get an eruption.
The same could be true for Öræfajökull.
Growing seismic activity
Yesterday's sharp 3.1 magnitude quake was felt clearly in Öræfi district, the National Broadcasting Service RÚV. Öræfi, which can be translated as The Wastes, includes several popular tourist destinations, including Skaftafell National Park visitor center and campground, the popular tourist attraction Svínafellsjökull glacier lagoons and the small village of Hof with it´s picturesque small church. Yesterday's quake was the fourth magnitude 3+ earthquake this year. Between 2000 and 2017 such quakes took place only once every eight years.
After being almost completely silent for hundreds of years the volcano began trembling earlier this year. The activity does not seem to be slowing dow.
Read more: Öræfajökull: Iceland's second deadliest volcano
While a 3.1 quake might not seem like much at a continental fault-line it is a very significant quake when it takes place in an active volcano where it is caused by the movement of magma underground. It is even more significant when the volcano in question has historically been very qiet.
Residents at the small rural village were rattled by the tremor. Brynja Kristjánsdóttir, who lives at Hof told RÚV that yesterday's quake had felt much more clearly than the quakes earlier this year. Brynja told RÚV that glasses rattled in her cuboards.
Uncertainty phase in effect
An uncertainty phase was declared at the volcano earlier this year. The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency has drawn up an emergency evacuation plan. Visitors should also note that the Civil Protection Agency is keeping a close eye on Svínafellsjökull outlet glacier, as catastrophic mountain collapse is looming in one of the mountains in the foothills of Öræfajökull.
The receding of Svínafellsjökull, due to global climate change has exposed a massive unstable rockface which could potentially collapse at any time. Visitors have been urged to keep their visits at Svínafellsjökull glacier lagoon brief, so as not limit the exposure to risk. An eruption in Öræfajökull would be accompanied by seismic activity which could set off the crumbling of Svínafell.
Read more: Emergency evacuation plan in case of eruption in Öræfajökull glacier
Read more: Civil Protection Agency warns catastrophic mountain collapse a threat at Svínafellsjökull glacier
Yesterday's sharp 3.1 magnitude quake in Öræfajökull is a reminder that Iceland's second deadliest volcano is waking up from centuries of slumber. It is still too early to say if the volcano will go back to sleep before blowing. Volcanoes are known to rumble and tremble for as much as a dozen years, showing signs of preparing for an eruption, before actually erupting – or going back to sleep. Katla, for example, has been preparing to blow, filling its lava chambers and trembling, being 20-40 years overdue for an eruption, but we could wait for 10 more years before we actually get an eruption.
The same could be true for Öræfajökull.
Growing seismic activity
Yesterday's sharp 3.1 magnitude quake was felt clearly in Öræfi district, the National Broadcasting Service RÚV. Öræfi, which can be translated as The Wastes, includes several popular tourist destinations, including Skaftafell National Park visitor center and campground, the popular tourist attraction Svínafellsjökull glacier lagoons and the small village of Hof with it´s picturesque small church. Yesterday's quake was the fourth magnitude 3+ earthquake this year. Between 2000 and 2017 such quakes took place only once every eight years.
After being almost completely silent for hundreds of years the volcano began trembling earlier this year. The activity does not seem to be slowing dow.
Read more: Öræfajökull: Iceland's second deadliest volcano
While a 3.1 quake might not seem like much at a continental fault-line it is a very significant quake when it takes place in an active volcano where it is caused by the movement of magma underground. It is even more significant when the volcano in question has historically been very qiet.
Residents at the small rural village were rattled by the tremor. Brynja Kristjánsdóttir, who lives at Hof told RÚV that yesterday's quake had felt much more clearly than the quakes earlier this year. Brynja told RÚV that glasses rattled in her cuboards.
Uncertainty phase in effect
An uncertainty phase was declared at the volcano earlier this year. The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency has drawn up an emergency evacuation plan. Visitors should also note that the Civil Protection Agency is keeping a close eye on Svínafellsjökull outlet glacier, as catastrophic mountain collapse is looming in one of the mountains in the foothills of Öræfajökull.
The receding of Svínafellsjökull, due to global climate change has exposed a massive unstable rockface which could potentially collapse at any time. Visitors have been urged to keep their visits at Svínafellsjökull glacier lagoon brief, so as not limit the exposure to risk. An eruption in Öræfajökull would be accompanied by seismic activity which could set off the crumbling of Svínafell.
Read more: Emergency evacuation plan in case of eruption in Öræfajökull glacier
Read more: Civil Protection Agency warns catastrophic mountain collapse a threat at Svínafellsjökull glacier
