The third significant earthquake swarm in the volcanoes of Vatnajökull in the past 48 hours was detected shortly after noon today, Tuesday. The monster volcano Bárðarbunga trembled at 13:08 with a 3.6 magnitude quake in the Northeastern part of the Bárðarbunga caldera. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office the epicenter of the quake was 6.6 km (4.1 mi) east-northeast of Bárðarbunga peak, at a depth of 6.3 km (3.9 mi).
The relatively powerful quake was followed by a handful of smaller tremors. Any quake larger than 3 on the Richter scale is considered a significant quake when it takes place in a volcano, where it is caused by the movement of magma into the earth's crust.
Read more: Quick primer on Bárðarbunga, Iceland's most powerful volcano
On Monday a magnitude 3 quake was detected in Bárðarbunga, while a 3.1 magnitude quake was detected in Öræfajökull shortly before midnight yesterday. This is only the sixth 3+ magnitude quake in Öræfajökull since measurements began. The volcano has been showing significant activity in recent months, after lying dormant for centuries. Öræfajökull is Iceland's second deadliest volcano and like Bárðarbunga, one of the most powerful volcanoes in the world.
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.
Read more: Öræfajökull: Iceland's second deadliest volcano
The third significant earthquake swarm in the volcanoes of Vatnajökull in the past 48 hours was detected shortly after noon today, Tuesday. The monster volcano Bárðarbunga trembled at 13:08 with a 3.6 magnitude quake in the Northeastern part of the Bárðarbunga caldera. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office the epicenter of the quake was 6.6 km (4.1 mi) east-northeast of Bárðarbunga peak, at a depth of 6.3 km (3.9 mi).
The relatively powerful quake was followed by a handful of smaller tremors. Any quake larger than 3 on the Richter scale is considered a significant quake when it takes place in a volcano, where it is caused by the movement of magma into the earth's crust.
Read more: Quick primer on Bárðarbunga, Iceland's most powerful volcano
On Monday a magnitude 3 quake was detected in Bárðarbunga, while a 3.1 magnitude quake was detected in Öræfajökull shortly before midnight yesterday. This is only the sixth 3+ magnitude quake in Öræfajökull since measurements began. The volcano has been showing significant activity in recent months, after lying dormant for centuries. Öræfajökull is Iceland's second deadliest volcano and like Bárðarbunga, one of the most powerful volcanoes in the world.
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.
