Since the weekend there has been a earthquake swarm ongoing in Breinnisteinsfjöll volcano (Wikipedia link). This earthquake swarm has not been strong in magnitude of the earthquakes happening, with largest magnitude just at 2,8 and all other earthquakes being smaller in magnitude. Close to 130 earthquakes have happened so far.
The earthquake activity in Breinnisteinsfjöll volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.
The signal from this earthquake swarm shows that some of the earthquakes happening are hybrid earthquakes. That means magma is creating some of them. While tectonic process is creating others. Last eruption in this volcano was in the year 1341 and I don’t have a lot of information about it. I don’t know if this is only magma that erupts or a mix eruption (magma and ash cloud). The earthquake swam is highly localized but has moved slightly to the south from the area where it started during the weekend. The earthquake swarm appears to be ongoing as is, there are however quiet period in it and currently that is what is happening.
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Magma intrusions in the Fagrajsdall, Krysuvik, Eldey and Breinnisteinsfjöll volcanoes in just two months.
Interesting.
Heaven must be beautiful in Hekla today. There are auroras !!! Webcam
Activity has been picking up this evening and seems to be intensifying. Are these tectonic or still magma effects?
This seems to be magma related. No eruption yet as the earthquake focus depth is at ~7 km at the moment. I don’t know if this magma is able to reach the surface to start an eruption, there might not be enough pressure in this dike intrusion for that to happen. At least not for the moment.
You get the feeling something is going to go ‘pop’ soon!
I don’t know if this area is going to have an eruption. It is difficult to say due to lack of eruption for the last 676 years.
Interesting now is the *range* of depths – all the way from 17km with a few more shallow ones now – 1 – 2km. Vast majority still around 7km though.