Scientists at the Icelandic Meteorological Office have confirmed that today's 3.6 magnitude earthquake in Öræfajökull is the largest ever measured in the volcano. Continuous seismic monitoring of Öræfajökull bean in 1976. Today's quake is only the latest in an episode of growing activity which began last year.
Read more: Iceland's northernmost settlement and tallest peak tremble: Quakes in Öræfajökull and Grímsey
Any quake in an active volcano which is larger than three on the Richter scale is considered a powerful quake. Such quakes are associated with movements of magma and can be signs of growing volcanic activity. The activity in Öræfajökull is especially significant because Öræfajökull is one of Europe's most powerful volcanoes and the second deadliest volcano in Iceland.
According to a statement from the IMO the quake was followed by a swarm of 10 smaller tremors. The epicenter of the activity was in the middle of the volcano's caldera at a depth of a few kilometers. Some of the quakes originated right beneath the surface, at a depth of only 100-200 meters (330-660 ft).
The Glacier of the Wasteland
Öræfajökull has been under close surveillance since it woke from a long slumber. Öræfajökull has erupted only twice since Iceland was settled in the 9th century: In 1727 and in 1362. The volcano is believed to have been completely dormant between the 1727 eruption and the current wave of activity when began last year. Since then the volcano has been showing signs of growing activity which is caused by magma thrusting its way to the surface.
Read more: All of Iceland‘s major volcanoes showing unusually high levels of activity
Öræfajökull is one of two major volcanoes hidden beneath Vatnajökull glacier which have shown growing activity in recent months. Bárðarbunga, in the north-western part of the glacier, has also been showing growing signs of activity. Bárðarbunga and Öræfajökull are two of the most powerful and dangerous volcanoes in Iceland. Despite both being located under Europe's largest glacier, the two volcanoes are otherwise unconnected.
Öræfajökull erupts in giant steam-blast eruptions, also known as phreatic or ultravolcanian eruptions. The 1883 Krakatoa eruption was a steam-blast eruption.
A 1362 steam blast eruption in Öræfajökull was the second deadliest eruption in Icelandic history. It is also considered to be one of the largest tepthra eruptions in the world in the last 1000 years. It destroyed one of the most prosperous farmland regions in South Iceland, killing all inhabitants and livestock at 20-40 farms in a region which was known then as Litla-hérað. Following the eruption, which deposited 10 cubic kilometers of volcanic material over fields and farms in the region, it's name changed to Öræfi, which translates as Wasteland in modern Icelandic.
The name of Öræfajökull could therefore be translated as The Glacier of the Wasteland.
Two popular tourist destinations could be affected
Two of Iceland's most popular tourist destinations are located in the foothills of Öræfajökull: Skaftafell visitor center in Vatnajökull National Park and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency estimates that it will have a 20 minute warning before any eruption in the glacier.
Read more: Emergency evacuation plan in case of eruption in Öræfajökull glacier
Scientists at the Icelandic Meteorological Office have confirmed that today's 3.6 magnitude earthquake in Öræfajökull is the largest ever measured in the volcano. Continuous seismic monitoring of Öræfajökull bean in 1976. Today's quake is only the latest in an episode of growing activity which began last year.
Read more: Iceland's northernmost settlement and tallest peak tremble: Quakes in Öræfajökull and Grímsey
Any quake in an active volcano which is larger than three on the Richter scale is considered a powerful quake. Such quakes are associated with movements of magma and can be signs of growing volcanic activity. The activity in Öræfajökull is especially significant because Öræfajökull is one of Europe's most powerful volcanoes and the second deadliest volcano in Iceland.
According to a statement from the IMO the quake was followed by a swarm of 10 smaller tremors. The epicenter of the activity was in the middle of the volcano's caldera at a depth of a few kilometers. Some of the quakes originated right beneath the surface, at a depth of only 100-200 meters (330-660 ft).
The Glacier of the Wasteland
Öræfajökull has been under close surveillance since it woke from a long slumber. Öræfajökull has erupted only twice since Iceland was settled in the 9th century: In 1727 and in 1362. The volcano is believed to have been completely dormant between the 1727 eruption and the current wave of activity when began last year. Since then the volcano has been showing signs of growing activity which is caused by magma thrusting its way to the surface.
Read more: All of Iceland‘s major volcanoes showing unusually high levels of activity
Öræfajökull is one of two major volcanoes hidden beneath Vatnajökull glacier which have shown growing activity in recent months. Bárðarbunga, in the north-western part of the glacier, has also been showing growing signs of activity. Bárðarbunga and Öræfajökull are two of the most powerful and dangerous volcanoes in Iceland. Despite both being located under Europe's largest glacier, the two volcanoes are otherwise unconnected.
Öræfajökull erupts in giant steam-blast eruptions, also known as phreatic or ultravolcanian eruptions. The 1883 Krakatoa eruption was a steam-blast eruption.
A 1362 steam blast eruption in Öræfajökull was the second deadliest eruption in Icelandic history. It is also considered to be one of the largest tepthra eruptions in the world in the last 1000 years. It destroyed one of the most prosperous farmland regions in South Iceland, killing all inhabitants and livestock at 20-40 farms in a region which was known then as Litla-hérað. Following the eruption, which deposited 10 cubic kilometers of volcanic material over fields and farms in the region, it's name changed to Öræfi, which translates as Wasteland in modern Icelandic.
The name of Öræfajökull could therefore be translated as The Glacier of the Wasteland.
Two popular tourist destinations could be affected
Two of Iceland's most popular tourist destinations are located in the foothills of Öræfajökull: Skaftafell visitor center in Vatnajökull National Park and Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. The Icelandic Civil Protection Agency estimates that it will have a 20 minute warning before any eruption in the glacier.
Read more: Emergency evacuation plan in case of eruption in Öræfajökull glacier
