¿Qué tan frecuentes son los sismos en la Islandia?

La Islandia tiene un alto nivel de actividad sísmica. Según datos de los últimos 25 años y nuestro archivo de terremotos con datos desde 1900, hay alrededor de 43,000 terremotos en promedio por año en la Islandia. La Islandia ha tenido al menos 2 terremotos arriba magnitud 7 desde 1900, lo que sugiere que los terremotos más grandes de este tamaño ocurren con poca frecuencia, probablemente en promedio aproximadamente cada 60 a 65 años.

¿Cuántos terremotos ocurren cada año en la Islandia?

En promedio, se producen alrededor de 495 sismos de magnitud 3 o superior al año (Mag 4+: 71 sismos por año, Mag 5+: 4.3 sismos por año).

Iceland and its volcanoes

Actualizado: 26 abr. 2025 01:42 GMT - actualizar

Iceland has the land area of Virginia and the population of Virginia Beach (about 260,000 people). The country has the highest literacy rate (100%) of any nation in the world. Its history has always been closely related to volcanoes and knowledge of many volcanic eruptions since the middle ages are preserved in accounts.
First settled by Vikings in the 9th century AD, Iceland established its own parliament in 930 and recorded its first historical volcanic eruption only a few years later. After a golden age of literature in the 12th and 13th centuries (when the sagas were written), natural history reporting reached a low around the 15th century. In the years 1707-09 a third of the population died from smallpox, and the 1783-84 Laki eruption killed a fifth of the remaining population by famine. Iceland gained sovereignty from Denmark in 1918 and complete independence in 1944.
Iceland is noted for subglacial and regional fissure eruptions related to the rifting process between the separating plates.
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(adapted from GVP/Smithsonian Institution)

Volcanoes of Iceland

Península de Reykjanes, Islandia (4 volcanoes)

Brennisteinsfjöll | Fagradalsfjall | Krísuvík | Svartsengi

[ocultar/mostrar sismos] | [menor] [más grande]

Erupciones volcánicas significativas: Islandia

In historic times, at least 19 volcanoes have been active en la Islandia, including Svartsengi, Fagradalsfjall y Bardarbunga volcanoes. A total of 157 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since alrededor de 920 AD.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events en la Islandia since around 1990.

Fecha	Volcán	VEI	Región	Fallecidos	Daños
2023 dic 18 - en curso	Svartsengi Sundhnúkagígar, Svartsengi fissure swarm	1	Reykjanes peninsula, SW Iceland		desconocido	Información
First episode of 7 fissure eruptions during Dec 2023-24. Followed intense earthquake swarm since 10 Nov, lasted 18-21 Dec 2023. Lava reached outskirts of Gríndavik town, which had been evacuated.
2023 dic 18 (erupción 2023 dic 18 - en curso)	Svartsengi	0	Reykjanes peninsula, SW Iceland	1	moderado	Información
2023 dic 18: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that a seismic swarm began near the older Sundhnukagigar crater row on the Reykjanes peninsula around 0230 on 14 January. A fissure eruption began at around 0757 just N of Grindavík, SE of Hagafell. Lava covered part of Grindavikurvegur road and overtopped a small area of the berm at the road, flowing south. A shorter second fissure opened at 1210 on 14 January to the SW of the first, about 200 m from the Efrahopi neighborhood in Grindavík. Lava flows traveled south, entering the town and setting at least three houses on fire. A man working on filling cracks in Grindavík fell into one of the cracks on 10 January and was unable to be located. Hundreds of rescue workers searched for the man but due to unsafe conditions and landslides occurring inside the crack the search was stopped on 12 January. (reference #13710) January 15, 2024: A new lava eruption started on 14 January at 7:57 UTC, and the fissure opening was located southeast of Hagafell Mountain. The southernmost part of the fissureis about 900 m from the town of Grindavik. Lava flow towards the town is ongoing and at 12.10 UTC on 14 January, a new lava fissure opened, and the lava flow affected the northern part of Grindavik. Gas pollution from the eruption is spreading south and southwest. According to media reports, all the people living in the town of Grindavik have been evacuated for the second time - they were allowed to return to their homes on 22 December following the eruption of 18 December. In addition, some houses in the town have been burned by the lava flow as well as road 43 which connects the city with the airport and Reykjavik. In addition, the wall defenses built after the eruption in December have partially contained the lava, but some have been breached. (reference #13714) December 18, 2023: At 22:17 UTC, a 4 km long volcanic fissure started erupting lava. The fissure is located in correspondence of the dyke intrusion that formed in November almost 3 km from Grindavík Town (Reykjanes Peninsula, south-western Iceland). (reference #13713) November 30, 2023: As of 28 November, the Icelandic Civil Protection reports that the building of a defense wall around Svartsengi power plant is ongoing and 3,700 people are still evacuated from Grindavik. Moreover, electricity, drinking water networks, several houses and roads have been damaged. (reference #13712) November 14, 2023: According to national authorities, at least 3,700 people living in Grindavík Towns have been preventively evacuated, boats are being evacuated from the harbour, several roads have been damaged (by earthquakes) as well as several water and power infrastructures and sewage. (reference #13711) October 25, 2023: An intense earthquake swarm started near Svartsengi, north of Grindavik. (reference #13711) Cited references #13710 Global Volcanism Program (2024): Report on Reykjanes (Iceland) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 January-16 January 2024. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. Link #13711 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Unrest, Update. Published 14 November 2023. Link #13712 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Unrest, Update. Published 30 November 2023. Link #13713 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Eruption. Published 19 December 2023. Link #13714 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2024): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Activity. Published 15 January 2024. Link #13715 Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) (2024): Uplift at Svartsengi continues. Accessed 22 January 2024. Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2023 jul 10 - ago 5	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland		desconocido
2022 ago 3 - ago 21	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland		desconocido
2021 mar 19 - sep 18	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland		desconocido
2014 ago 29 - 2015 feb 27	Bardarbunga Holuhraun vent, 45 km NE	0	Central Iceland		desconocido
2011 may 21 - may 25	Grímsvötn SW part of the caldera	4	Northeastern Iceland		desconocido
2010 mar 20 - jun 23	Eyafjallajökull ENE flank (Fimmvörduháls) and summit	4	South Iceland		desconocido
2010 mar 31 (erupción 2010 mar 20 - jun 23)	Eyafjallajökull	2	South Iceland	2	desconocido	Información
2010 mar 31: The Icelandic Met Office reported that around 1900 on 31 March a new fissure at Eyjafjöll opened NE of the first fissure that began erupting on 20 March. Activity from the second fissure was not preceded by detectable seismicity. According to a news article, the fissure was about 300 m long, and about 200 m away from the first fissure. At the time of reporting by the Icelandic Met Office on 5 April, lava fountains had remained active from both fissures. Lava mostly accumulated near the new vent but some lava flows had entered the Hruná and Hvanná gullies. News outlets reported that two people had died during the journey back from seeing the eruption.The ash cloud resulted in the cancellation of tens of thousands of daily flights, both into and out of major European cities, after 15 April. This closure lasted for several days and by April 20, many flights had resumed. Over 10,000 flights were canceled due to the eruption. Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2004 nov 1 - nov 4	Grímsvötn SW and east sides of caldera	3	Northeastern Iceland		desconocido
2000 feb 26 - mar 8	Hekla SW flank	3	South Iceland		desconocido
1998 dic 18 - dic 28	Grímsvötn South caldera wall	3	Northeastern Iceland		desconocido
1996 sep 30 - nov 6	Grímsvötn Gjálp (fissure N of caldera rim)	3?	Northeastern Iceland		desconocido
1996 sep 30 (erupción 1996 sep 30 - nov 6)	Grímsvötn	3	Northeastern Iceland		ligero	Información
1996 sep 30: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1991 ene 17 - mar 11	Hekla Summit, SW, SE & NE flank fissures	3	South Iceland		desconocido

Más

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Fuentes: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Islandia FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption en la Islandia?

The last volcanic eruption en la Islandia was from Svartsengi volcano. It began in 2023 and is continuing (as of April 2025).

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption en la Islandia?

The first historically documented eruption occurred alrededor de 920 AD from Katla volcano.

+How often do volcanoes en la Islandia erupt?

Since 920 AD, Islandia has seen at least 157 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 7 years.

+How active are the volcanoes en la Islandia?

Islandia is volcanically relatively active: Since 1900, at least 13 volcanoes en la Islandia have been active.Since 1900, Islandia has had 47 volcanic eruptions from 13 individual volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions have been recorded erupted during 49 years out of 126 as of now. This means, at least one volcano en la Islandia has been in eruption in one in 2.6 years on average. The latest eruption from Svartsengi volcano volcano is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption en la Islandia?

The largest eruption en la Islandia in historic times was from Bardarbunga volcano. It occurred in 1477 AD. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 6 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Terremotos más recientes: Iceland

En los últimos 7 días, Iceland tuvo 1 sismo de magnitud 3.1 y 8 sismos de magnitud 2+. También hubo 888 temblores pequeños por debajo de la magnitud 2.0 que la gente normalmente no siente.

Un Magnitud 1.8 sismo ocurrió en 4.6 km N of Geirfuglasker .

Magnitud 1.8 Sismo 4.6 km N of Geirfuglasker -

Fecha y hora	Mag / Prof.	Volcán más cercano / Ubicación
24 abr 06:52 (Tiempo Universal)	2.6 0.9 km	8 km N de Grímsvötn	10.4 km NNW of Grímsfjall I FELT IT	Más
miércoles, 23 abril 2025 GMT (2 sismos)
23 abr 09:47 (Tiempo Universal)	3.1 17 km	16 km SE de Ljósufjöll	Occidental, 74 km al norte de Reikiavik, Región de la capital, Islandia I FELT IT	Más
23 abr 08:12 (Tiempo Universal)	2.5 18 km	16 km SE de Ljósufjöll	28.0 km N of Borgarnes	Más
lunes, 21 abril 2025 GMT (2 sismos)
21 abr 11:41 (Tiempo Universal)	2.4 2.6 km	3 km SE de Bardarbunga	3.6 km SE of Bárðarbunga	Más
21 abr 03:16 (Tiempo Universal)	2.3 7.2 km	17 km SO de Hrómundartindur	2.0 km E of Raufarhólshellir	Más
sábado, 19 abril 2025 GMT (1 sismo)
19 abr 01:37 (Tiempo Universal)	2.3 10 km	29 km E de Kolbeinsey Ridge	10.0 km NE of Grímsey	Más

Ver sismos recientes

Terremotos significativos en la Islandia desde 1900

Este fue el 6. terremoto más desastroso en la Islandia jamás registrado. 11 casas y otros edificios fueron destruidos y 11 gravemente dañados.

Fecha	Mag	Región	Daños
2008 May 29	6.3	Reykjavik	ligero	Info
2000 Jun 21	6.5	Grimsnes, Selfoss, Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri	pesado	Info
2000 Jun 17	6.5	Vestmannaeyjar, Hella	pesado	Info
1976 Jan 13	6.4	Kopasker	moderado	Info

Fuente: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

All Quakes in History

Mapa

Sismos más antiguos (hasta 1960) en amarillo, los más recientes (desde el 2000) en rojo.

[sismos -] [sismos +] [menor] [más grande]

Terremotos significativos en la Islandia FAQ

+¿Cuál fue el terremoto que causó más daños en la Islandia desde 1900?

El terremoto que causó más daños fue the magnitude 6.5 earthquake en la Islandia, Meridional on junio, 17, 2000. Causó no known fatalities y $20 millones de dólares US (el equivalente actual) en daños económicos totales.

+¿Cuánto daño causaron los sismos en la Islandia desde 1900?

Ha habido 4 terremotos dañinos durante este período que han causado pérdidas económicas de aprox. $38 millones de dólares US combinado.

Location of Iceland and the North Atlantic mid-ocean ridge where the American and Eurasian plates separate

Simplified map of Iceland showing its active volcanoes

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mié, 9 abr 2025, 14:00

Reykjanes volcano (Iceland) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 2 April-8 April 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that the eruption that began at 0945 on 1 April near the Sundhnúkur crater row, located between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell within the Reykjanes volcanic system, was over at 1645 on that same day. Data collected during an overflight conducted by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History on 1 April indicated that about 0.4 million cubic meters of lava had erupted, making it the smallest eruption of the series that began in December 2023 and one sixth of the volume of the second smallest eruption that occurred in January 2024. The flow field was about 0.23 square kilometers and had an average thickness of 1.7 m. ... Leer todo

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Reykjanes volcano (Iceland) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 26 March-1 April 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that an earthquake swarm at the Sundhnúkur crater row began at 0630 on 1 April, located between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell within the Reykjanes volcanic system. Monitoring data showed related deformation, and pressure changes were detected in boreholes. IMO raised the Aviation Color Code to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) at 0657 noting that magma was moving, and an eruption may begin within an hour or so. ... Leer todo