Reykjanes volcano, Reykjanes peninsula (SW Iceland): news & activity updates
Updated: Aug 14, 2022 08:48 GMT - Refresh
Wed, 21 Oct 2020, 06:00
IMO reported that a M 5.6 earthquake was recorded at 1343 on 20 October beneath Nupshlidarhals, a hill about 5 km W of the geothermal area in Seltun. This was the largest earthquake since 2003 recorded in the Reykjanes peninsula. There were about 1,700 aftershocks recorded in the following 24-hour period. Read allWed, 17 Jun 2020, 06:56
The seismicity around Grindavík last week (image: IMO)
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Wed, 10 Jun 2020, 06:00
IMO reported that a third injection of magma since the beginning of the year was occurring beneath the Reykjanes peninsula. Data suggested that the current inflationary period began in mid-May, though earthquake activity did not increase until around 30 May. During 30 May-15 June the seismic network recorded more than 2,000 events, with the largest, an M 3.4, recorded on 13 June. Read allThu, 28 May 2020, 08:57
Earthquakes detected during the last 48 hours at the Reykjanes peninsula (image: IMO)
Thu, 7 May 2020, 08:50
Earthquakes detected during the last 48 hours at the Reykjanes peninsula (image: IMO)
Wed, 29 Apr 2020, 06:00
IMO reported that uplift detected in the Thorbjorn area decreased in the beginning of April and stopped later in the month. Seismicity, which had occurred across three main volcanic systems: Eldey, Reykjanes-Svartsengi, and Krýsuvík, had significantly decreased. These data indicated that the injection of magma beneath Thorbjorn had stopped, though there were indications of deformation over a larger area. Read allWed, 25 Mar 2020, 08:49
Earthquakes during the last 48 hours at the Reykjanes peninsula (image: IMO)
Wed, 25 Mar 2020, 06:00
There were more than 6,000 earthquakes recorded beneath the Reykjanes peninsula as of 26 March, making this period of unrest the largest seismic crisis ever recorded in this part of the country since digital monitoring started in 1991, according to IMO. The seismicity occurred across three main volcanic systems: Eldey, Reykjanes-Svartsengi, and Krýsuvík. Uplift continued to be detected in the Thorbjorn area totaling about 70-80 mm; the deformation rate was lower than in January and February. Read allFri, 20 Mar 2020, 06:42
The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) report that the inflation and associated uplift that occurred around Mt Thorbjorn volcano in January-February has started again. The deformation is occurring in the same location as before, but at a slower rate. The uplift started in January but paused temporarily at the end of February. The IMO suggest that since the beginning of March, the uplift is about 20 mm. The deformation is believed to be caused by continued magma accumulation at depth. The head of the National Hazard Monitoring Group at the IMO explains that these events doesn't not guarantee that there will be an eruption any time soon. Read allFri, 13 Mar 2020, 09:19
Earthquakes during the last 48 hours at the Reykjanes peninsula (image: IMO)
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Wed, 11 Mar 2020, 06:00
On 18 March IMO raised the Aviation Color Code for Reykjanes to Yellow noting that recent InSAR and GPS data indicated that during the second week of March deformation had restarted. The uplift was concentrated in the same place as that recorded in January-February, though at a slower rate. The cause of the deformation was likely an intrusion of magma at 4.5 km depth. Read allFri, 6 Mar 2020, 08:36
Earthquakes during the last 48 hours at the Reykjanes peninsula (image: IMO)
Wed, 4 Mar 2020, 08:56
Earthquakes during the last hours at the Reykjanes peninsula (image: IMO)
Mon, 2 Mar 2020, 10:48
Earthquakes during the last 24 hours at the Reykjanes peninsula (image: IMO)
Mon, 24 Feb 2020, 08:15
Earthquakes during the last 48 hours at the Reykjanes peninsula (image: IMO)
Wed, 19 Feb 2020, 06:00
On 25 February IMO reported that seismic activity at Reykjanes, in an area N of the town of Grindavík, had significantly decreased during the previous few days, and inflation was not detected in GPS and InSAR data. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Green. Preliminary data suggested a small deflation signal beginning mid-February, though further analysis was needed for confirmation. Read allTue, 18 Feb 2020, 09:19
The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) recorded an earthquake swarm since 15 February at the southwestern tip of the Reykjanes peninsula. Over 120 earthquakes were detected by the seismic network with magnitude below M 3.0. Read allWed, 12 Feb 2020, 06:00
On 15 February IMO reported that seismicity at Reykjanes, in an area N of the town of Grindavík, remained above background levels even though activity had been decreasing since the end of January. Two earthquakes larger than M 3 were detected; one of them, an M 3.1, was recorded at 0826 on 14 February. The rate of deformation had slightly increased. Read allSat, 8 Feb 2020, 11:29
Depth vs time of earthquakes beneath Thornbjorn volcano during the past days
Wed, 5 Feb 2020, 06:00
On 7 February IMO reported that data collected during the previous week indicated that a magma body was located 3-5 km beneath Reykjanes. Earthquake activity had decreased during the previous two days, though inflation was ongoing, reaching 5 cm. The Aviation Code remained at Yellow. Read allShow more
Sun, 2 Feb 2020, 12:29
Earthquakes under the Reykjanes peninsula during the past 7 days
Mon, 27 Jan 2020, 15:24
InSAR data showing inflation. Credit: IMO.
Wed, 22 Jan 2020, 06:00
IMO reported possible magma accumulation beneath Reykjanes, centered along the plate boundary below the Svartsengi fissure system, just W of Thorbjorn. Deformation began on 21 January and was unusually rapid, with the rate of inflation occurring at 3-4 mm per day (3 cm total by 29 January), as detected by InSAR and continuous GPS data. Magma accumulation, if that was causing the inflation, was small with an estimate volume of 1 million cubic meters, at 3-5 km depth. Read all
