Month: July 2025

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Strong earthquake in Bárðarbunga volcano on 27-July 2025

On the 27-July 2025 at 23:39 UTC an earthquake with magnitude of Mw5,2 took place in Bárðarbunga volcano. A second earthquake with magnitude of Mw3,1 took place at 23:41 UTC. That second earthquake is embedded into the first earthquake and that makes it impossible to see it in earthquake data without good analyse. The largest earthquake was felt in Akureyri, far north of Bárðarbunga volcano.

Two green stars in Bárðarbunga volcano. The northern green star is the larger earthquake with magnitude of Mw5.2.
The earthquake activity in Bárðarbunga volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Office.

This is normal earthquake activity as Bárðarbunga volcano continues to inflate. This large earthquake happen every few month in Bárðarbunga volcano.

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Earthquake swarm in Krýsuvík volcano

During the night of 20-July 2025 at 02:55 UTC an earthquake with magnitude of Mw3,5 took place in Krýsuvík volcano. This earthquake was felt in Reykjavík and other nearby area.

Green star east of Kleifarvatn in Krýsuvík volcano. Few blue dots showing older earthquakes are also in the same location.
Green star in Krýsuvík volcano. Showing the main earthquake activity area. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.

This is a tectonic earthquake. Possibly adjustment in the crust the eruption that is happening in Svartsengi volcano. Since the eruption results in the Svartsengi volcano to deflate. This earthquake swarm seems to be over for now.

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Update on the eruption in Sundhnúkagígar in Svartsengi volcano at 17th July 2025 at 00:43 UTC

This is a summary update with best information I have at the moment. Some information might be out of date without me knowing about it.

  • The eruption fissure reached 2,5 km when it was at the longest length. It has started to get smaller as the eruption has dropped in intensity over the last few hours.
  • This is the most northern eruption in Svartsengi volcano so far.
  • The lava flow is towards Fagradalsfjall volcano and into Fagradals valley and is now filling up, if it has not done so already.
  • Harmonic tremor looks stable at the writing of this article. This can change quickly and without warning.
  • Early GPS data suggest that deflation of Svartsengi volcano is around 100mm for the last 12 hours where it is most. Depending on the GPS station location in the volcano system.
  • Earthquake activity has stopped or almost stopped in the area.
  • I don’t expect this eruption to last more than few days. However eruptions in this area sometimes continue in one crater at very low volume for a several weeks. At current time its impossible to know if that happens.
  • Fog is currently blocking all view of the eruption. So its impossible for me to know what is happening visually.
  • Gas pollution has been a problem in this eruption and wind direction. This might not improve until the eruption ends.

If there is anything more to report. I’ll post update here about it. I don’t expect there is going to be any need for any future update at the writing of this article.

Updated at 00:59 UTC on 17th of July with missing information.

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Eruption has started in Sundhnúkagígaröðinni in Svartsengi volcano

Today (16-July 2025) at 03:53:31 UTC an eruption started in Svartsengi volcano in Sundhnúkagígaröðinni crater row. This is the most northern part of the eruption area. Far from anything important. The eruption fissure doesn’t look large based on what can be seen on web cameras.

The eruption as seen on the web camera Þorbjörn. The lava strokes are clearly visible and are orange red in colour.
The eruption in Sundhnúkagígaröðinni in Svartsengi volcano. Screenshot from Rúv web camera on YouTube.

It is impossible to know how long this eruption is going to last. It might be few hours and up to few days. If needed. I’ll post updates about the eruption. Normally in this type of eruption that is not required.

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Earthquake swarm in South Seismic Zone (SISZ)

This morning (7-July 2025) at 04:38 UTC an earthquake with magnitude of Mw3,4 took place in SISZ, close to a location called Árnes. More then a dozen smaller earthquakes followed the largest earthquake. There are no reports that this earthquake was felt, but its not impossible in the summer houses that are in this area.

Green star showing the largest and yellow dots showing smaller earthquakes.
Green star in the SISZ following the minor earthquake swarm. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.

I don’t think this earthquake swarm is a sign of a large earthquake happening in SISZ. Since those often happen without much warning. This earthquake swarm has now stopped.