The ground on the Reykjanes peninsula has been shaking for two weeks already. If the earthquakes cause the magma collected kilometers deep to move towards the earth’s surface, the threat of a volcanic eruption increases.
The series of earthquakes that started at the end of October continues on the Reykjanes peninsula in southwest Iceland. In two weeks, the country has already shaken 22,000 times. Meteorological Institute of Iceland according to the series, there is no end in sight for now.
So far, the strongest earthquake was measured the night before Thursday. The magnitude of the earthquake was five. This does not yet pose a danger to buildings.
Earthquakes can predict volcanic eruptions, but there have been no signs of such in Reykjanes, at least so far, says the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Seismic activity has remained at a depth of 4–5 kilometers, and although more magma is constantly accumulating under Mount Þorbjörn, it has not been observed to reach the surface. However, the ground has risen significantly during earthquakes.
An evacuation plan has been published for the 3,600 inhabitants of the nearby fishing town of Grindavik, and the authorities have issued a call to prepare for the environment as well.
The epicenters are quite close to the Svartseng geothermal power plant, and the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa popular with tourists, is also not far away. Both utilize the volcanism of Iceland’s soil, i.e. the same phenomenon that causes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The capital Reykjavik is several tens of kilometers from the area. Keflavik airport is also located on the Reykjanes peninsula. Earthquakes have been registered on the west coast as far as Borgarnes.
Iceland’s most recent volcanic eruption occurred just a little to the east of the current earthquake zone. Fagradalsfjall, which woke up from its 800-year sleep, erupted at the end of summer and before that also last year and the year before that.