“Unprecedented,” say experts. Look at the number of earthquakes in the last 48 hours!

Southwestern Iceland was rocked by a series of earthquakes Wednesday. According to geological experts, the epicenter of the main quake was located near Mt. Keilir, roughly 30 km (19 miles) south of the capital Reykjavik.

Experts say shocks from the quake, which registered 5.7 in magnitude, sparked increased volcanic activity, triggering a number of aftershocks registering over 4.0 for hours after the initial quake hit.

“I’ve never experienced or felt so many strong earthquakes in such a short period of time. It’s unusual,” Icelandic Meteorological Office’s (IMO) earthquake hazards coordinator Kristin Jonsdottir told Icelandic public broadcaster RUV.

Experts are used to intense geothermal activity in Iceland but say the amount of rumbling at the moment is unprecedented

Though the region has yet to experience eruptions as a result of the increased activity, the IMO nevertheless raised aviation warnings from green to yellow over the Krysuvik volcano system.

The last eruption to occur in the area was in the 12th century but more recently, the eruption of Iceland’s more southerly Eyjafjallajokull volcano over six days in 2010 caused massive disruption to international air travel, affecting as many as 10 million travelers.

The Reykjanes peninsula, located on a tectonic fault, has been rocked by numerous earthquakes for more than a year.

https://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/earthquakes/

https://www.dw.com/en/iceland-heavy-earthquakes-trigger-volcanic-activity/a-56681610

Quake rocks Reykjavik, raises Iceland’s volcano activity

Thanks to Bill Sellers for these links

The post Icelandic Volcano About to Cut Loose? appeared first on Ice Age Now.

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February 25, 2021 at 02:41PM