Month: January 2026

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A magnitude Mw5,3 earthquake in Bárðarbunga volcano

Today (31-January 2026) at 11:54 UTC an earthquake with the magnitude of Mw5,3 took place in Bárðarbunga volcano. This earthquake was not felt in populated areas. This earthquake is part of the inflation process in Bárðarbunga volcano. This process has been going on since the eruption in Bárðarbunga volcano ended on 28-February 2015.

Green star and red and orange dots showing smaller earthquake in left side of this image in Bárðarbunga volcano. That is north side of Vatnajökull glacier.
Earthquake activity in Bárðarbunga volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.

This strong earthquake activity in Bárðarbunga volcano is going to continue until maximum inflation is reached or until next eruption start. Whatever comes first. Then this cycle is going to restart in some form once a eruption has happened. If maximum inflation is reached, then this type of earthquake activity is going to stop. Based on current data, it is going to take several decades until that happens.

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Dyke intrusion in Þórðarhyrna volcano

Yesterday (24-January 2026) from 10:27 UTC and until 12:02 UTC an earthquake swarm took place in Þórðarhyrna volcano. This earthquake swarm looks like a dyke intrusion in that volcano. Largest earthquake had a magnitude of Mw2,8 and other earthquakes where smaller in magnitude.

Just south-west of Grímsfjall volcano, in the white snow on the map of Vatnajökull glacier a cluster of earthquake is located in Þórðarhyrna volcano.
Earthquake activity in Þórðarhyrna volcano. Just south-west of Grímsfjall volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.

This earthquake activity is showing a increase in activity in this volcano over the recent years. There has not been a eruption in Þórðarhyrna volcano since 1830 to 1903 (year is uncertain). This volcano is inside Grímsfjall volcano fissure swarm. There are no clear signs that eruption is going to happen any time soon. This increase in earthquake activity might continue for next 10 to 20 years before an eruption happens in Þórðarhyrna volcano. There are more information about Þórðarhyrna volcano on Icelandic Volcanoes website.