Minor earthquake swarm in Bárðarbunga volcano

Yesterday (26-April-2014) and today (27-April-2014) an minor earthquake swarm took place in Bárðarbunga volcano. I am not sure if this earthquake activity is due to dike intrusion or normal tectonic activity.

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Minor earthquake swarm in Bárðarbunga volcano. Copyright of this belongs to Icelandic Meteorological Office.

This area of Bárðarbunga volcano is well known for high earthquake activity. If this is an dike intrusion as is an possibility, it does not increase the risk of an eruption, since dike intrusion without starting an eruptions are a common feature in Icelandic volcanoes.

2 Replies to “Minor earthquake swarm in Bárðarbunga volcano”

  1. At what rate (in days, months, or years) do these intrusions occur? How do you know for a fact that it is a slanted intrusion? Has this volcano been thoroughly studied? When last did it erupt? I’m assuming it is an active volcano if you mention that it could possibly be an igneous intrusion, because the upward movement of magma to the surface, will cause the country rock to be disturbed resulting in a series of minor earthquakes
    -u14020239

    1. They happen at random. Since dike intrusions take place when magma is on the move as such it is impossible to know when that happens.

      Bárðarbunga volcano is studied in decent manner. Its under glacier so actual studying of it is difficult for that reason. Since the glacier is from 100 to 600 meters (or more) thick in this area. Last eruption took place in the year 1910. You can find more information about Bárðarbunga volcano in the Global Volcanism Project website that I have linked to in this post.

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