Today (4-April-2014) has been marked by an large earthquake swarm in Hengill volcano. For the moment this earthquake swarm is man made. This earthquake swarm is due the fact that Orkuveita Reykjavíkur is pumping down large amount of water (full of led and other hazardous things) back into the ground. This creates pressure change in the crust and that starts an earthquake swarm in the area. It is possible to monitor this earthquake swarm here on my webicorder website.
The earthquake swarm in Hengill volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Meteorological Office.
Activity has been so high in this area today that it has been creating ghost earthquakes on the earthquake map of Iceland.
Some earthquakes on this map are ghost earthquakes due to high earthquake activity in Hengill volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Meteorological Office.
This earthquake swarm in Hengill volcano is going to continue for as long as they continue to pump down water into the crust in this location. As for the magnitude of the earthquakes that appear during this time is difficult to say. Largest earthquake so far had the magnitude of 2,9, it is also possible that larger earthquakes might take place in this location or nearby location if stress changes due to this activity take place. I don’t know if that is going to happen, but it is worth monitoring for such changes just in case anything happens.
Blog post updated at 20:54 UTC.
Blog post updated at 20:57 UTC.
Hi Jón,
where did you read about toxic water being used in the geothermal power plant? To my knowledge, it is only used in oil and gas fracking system.
Regards
Jonas
I did see this in Icelandic news some time ago. I don’t remember in what online news it was. I did search for that source for you, but I was unable to find it (possibly deleted from the internet). It was an interview about this pumping of the water back into the ground.
This however not an water they use since its not fit for usage in the warm systems due to issues with it.