Minor earthquake swarms in Iceland

It has been quiet in Iceland during the past few weeks. Besides activity in Katla volcano and Kolbeinsey ridge. Nothing of interest has been going on in Iceland. Here is however the overview of activity in Iceland during the past few hours.

Kolbeinsey Ridge

Some minor earthquake activity has been taking place in Kolbeinsey Ridge during the past few hours. This earthquake swarm is small in nature, with largest earthquakes reaching the magnitude 2.4. Otherwise it remains quiet in this area.


Earthquake activity in Kolbeinsey Ridge. Just north of Grímsey Island. Copyright of this image belongs to Iceland Meteorological Office.

Kolbeinsey ridge has seen some activity during past few weeks. But it might just be normal tectonic earthquakes taking place. So far nothing suggest any volcanism nature of this earthquake activity.

Krýsuvík volcano

During the past few hours. Krýsuvík volcano did see some earthquake activity. This activity is most likely to be tectonic in nature. As Reykjanes peninsula has frequent earthquake swarm that are tectonic in nature.


Earthquake swarm on Reykjanes. It is located within Krýsuvík volcano. This was small earthquake swarm. Copyright of this image belongs to Iceland Meteorological Office.

It remains rather quiet on Reykjanes besides this minor earthquake swarm today.

Katla volcano

After rather interesting activity during the past few weeks. It seems that Katla volcano is slowing down in earthquake activity. For now at least. But it is impossible to know for sure if current quiet sense is going to continue in Katla volcano.


Earthquake activity in Katla volcano during past few days. The activity is mostly concentrated into Katla volcano caldera. Copyright of this image belongs to Iceland Meteorological Office.

Besides this top of the activity. All is quiet in Iceland. Both in volcanoes and earthquakes. That might however change at any time without warning. It happens often in Iceland. I also want to remind people of my geophone web page. Where earthquakes can sometimes be seen soon after they have taken place.

4 Replies to “Minor earthquake swarms in Iceland”

  1. There was a Magnitude 4 NE of Jan Mayen –

    http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=276035

    I know you dont watch this region, but I always monitor the ridge North and South of Iceland (as far as Svalbard). It has been relatively quiet, but some months ago there were a few notable Eq’s up to Mag 5, which led me to believe there were greater than normal stresses on Iceland. Now, when it is relatively quiet on the sub oceanic ridge, I remain concerned that something will give of a significant nature on or near Icelands land mass.

    Unless the lithosphere is extensively fractured, then there is a limit to how far it can be ‘bent’ before something breaks. IMO has Gps data I believe which confirms the extent of divergence of the ridge – does this match with the land mass of Iceland or has it been more extensive subsea. Only those in possesion of this data can confirm it. How far can you tear a piece of dry toast at both sides before the centre breaks?

    1. Thanks for the link. I am watching what is going on. I had a busy day today. So blog post later today on what is going on in El Hierro volcano.

Comments are closed.