This is a short update on the activity in Öræfajökull volcano.
Over the past month the earthquake activity in Öræfajökull volcano has been mostly stable and majority of the earthquakes happening are small in magnitude and most in the range of 0,0 – 1,0. One magnitude 2,8 and magnitude 3,0 earthquake have happened in this time period (article here).
Earthquake activity yesterday in Öræfajökull volcano. Copyright of this image belongs to Icelandic Met Office.
This earthquake activity is easily masked by strong winds and bad weather in the area. As summer approaches in Iceland risk of such storms is now smaller than during high winter. It is only when larger earthquakes start to appear that the risk of an eruption becomes serious. Until then this is just earthquake activity in Öræfajökull volcano that needs to be monitored.
How large will the eq have to be before an eruption is on the way
Old historical accounts say the earthquakes where felt. That means considerable amount of earthquakes in the magnitude range of 3,0 – 4,5.