Yesterday evening a sharp earthquake swarm was detected 5.8 km (3.6 mi) North East of Krýsuvík on the Reykjanes peninsula. The epicenter of the quake was in the middle of Kleifarvatn lake, at a depth of 7.2 km (4.5 mi) below the earth's crust. The largest tremor in the swarm was a 3.1 magnitude quake. The National Seismic Monitoring System of the Icelandid Meteorological Office detected several dozen other quakes in the swarm.
Read more: Reykjanes Geopark: A volcanic wonderland less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavík
The area is known for high levels of geothermal activity. The Seltún geothermal area south of lake Kleifarvatn is a popular destination among travelers exploring the Reykjanes peninsula. Reykjanes peninsula is home to three volcanic systems all of which are very active, and a fourth submarine volcanic system just off the western tip of the peninsula. All of the systems include geothermal areas. The Blue Lagoon is found in the westernmost system, The Reykjanes system.
A second sharp earthquake swarm was detected in the monster volcano Bárðarbunga, hidden beneath the ice cap of Vatnajökull glacier. The largest quake, a 3.7 magnitude quake was detected at 7:08 this morning. The epicenter of this quake was at a depth of 6.1 km (3.8 mi), 4.5 km (2.8 mi) east-southeast of the center of the main caldera of the volcano. A swarm which included half a dozen smaller quakes followed this larger tremor.
Read more: Quick primer on Bárðarbunga, Iceland's most powerful volcano
Bárðarbunga has been very active since it erupted in 2014-2015. This eruption, which produced a large new lava field in the Central Highlands north of Vatnajökull glacier, the largest new lava field in Iceland in over two hundred years, drained the magma chambers of the volcano. The volcano is believed to be recharging its lava chambers, readying for a second eruption. Activity in Bárðarbunga has historically been characterized by drawn out episodes of repeated eruptions.
Yesterday evening a sharp earthquake swarm was detected 5.8 km (3.6 mi) North East of Krýsuvík on the Reykjanes peninsula. The epicenter of the quake was in the middle of Kleifarvatn lake, at a depth of 7.2 km (4.5 mi) below the earth's crust. The largest tremor in the swarm was a 3.1 magnitude quake. The National Seismic Monitoring System of the Icelandid Meteorological Office detected several dozen other quakes in the swarm.
Read more: Reykjanes Geopark: A volcanic wonderland less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavík
The area is known for high levels of geothermal activity. The Seltún geothermal area south of lake Kleifarvatn is a popular destination among travelers exploring the Reykjanes peninsula. Reykjanes peninsula is home to three volcanic systems all of which are very active, and a fourth submarine volcanic system just off the western tip of the peninsula. All of the systems include geothermal areas. The Blue Lagoon is found in the westernmost system, The Reykjanes system.
A second sharp earthquake swarm was detected in the monster volcano Bárðarbunga, hidden beneath the ice cap of Vatnajökull glacier. The largest quake, a 3.7 magnitude quake was detected at 7:08 this morning. The epicenter of this quake was at a depth of 6.1 km (3.8 mi), 4.5 km (2.8 mi) east-southeast of the center of the main caldera of the volcano. A swarm which included half a dozen smaller quakes followed this larger tremor.
Read more: Quick primer on Bárðarbunga, Iceland's most powerful volcano
Bárðarbunga has been very active since it erupted in 2014-2015. This eruption, which produced a large new lava field in the Central Highlands north of Vatnajökull glacier, the largest new lava field in Iceland in over two hundred years, drained the magma chambers of the volcano. The volcano is believed to be recharging its lava chambers, readying for a second eruption. Activity in Bárðarbunga has historically been characterized by drawn out episodes of repeated eruptions.
