Posted on by Jón Frímann

Earthquake swarm in Kverkfjöll volcano

At 20:03 UTC an earthquake swarm started in Kverkfjöll volcano. The strongest earthquake so far has the magnitude of ML2.6, the depth is 1.1 km according to automatic estimate. Both size and depth of this earthquake are expected to change once it has been reviewed by Icelandic Meteorological Office. So far no harmonic tremor has been detected following this earthquake swarm. The most likely explanation for this earthquake swarm is that dike intrusion of magma has started in Kverkfjöll volcano. This has been happening on regular basis now for several years.


The swarm in Kverkfjöll volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Meteorological Office.

The earthquake swarm is currently ongoing. It is hard to know what happens in Kverkfjöll volcano following this earthquake swarm. But Kverkfjöll volcano are among Iceland most active volcanoes. With last eruption being in the year 1968 (small I think). This is clearly magma on the move inside Kverkfjöll volcano. But I do not know if this is going to result in a eruption or not. At the moment. It is my estimate that eruption is unlikely to happen. But that might change without warning at any time. But changes in Kverkfjöll volcano might be rapid and without warning. I am going to continue to monitor this activity and post new blog post if there are any major changes in activity in Kverkfjöll volcano.

7 Replies to “Earthquake swarm in Kverkfjöll volcano”

  1. Hey Jón!
    Interesting activity in Iceland.
    I miss this blog, but have been too busy to follow so many blogs and FB, but every now and then I pass bye to lurk behind.
    Renato Rio

    1. BTW I suspended all donations because I’m having health problems in my family and must help with medicine and care.
      But I’ll be back for more books.

      3. Earthquake swarms when there source is magma dike movements can stop for several hours. Then they can start again without warning and even stronger then before.

        So the best thing for now is to wait and see what happens next.

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