About ten earthquakes of magnitude 2 and above have been detected in the Hengill area last night. The largest earthquake, which occurred around 7 pm, measured 3.3. RUV reports.
An announcement from ON Power states that the earthquakes occurred in an area where geothermal water used in the Hellisheidi power plant is pumped back into the ground. The earthquake was also felt in Hveragerði and the capital area.
Staff are constantly monitoring developments in the area, in consultation with the Meteorological Office’s earthquake watch, and claim that the earthquake did not affect the power plant. The power plant provides electricity and hot water for the district heating in the capital area.
The power plant has been producing energy for the capital area for almost 30 years and regularly large amounts of water are pumped back to earth from the geothermal system after it has been used in the plant. This helps to increase the sustainability of geothermal energy and reduce the environmental impact.
Changes to the injection have caused little seismic activity recently, but no changes were made when the operation took place last night. ON Power researchers, however, believe that the earthquakes are related to voltage changes caused by prolonged injection.
No changes will be made in the light of the earthquakes, as it is believed that changes in their structure will probably increase the likelihood of seismic activity in the future.
Source: The Nordic Page