The magma under the Reykjanes peninsula is now about one kilometer deep in the igneous tunnel between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir. This is where an eruption is most likely. If the flow of magma continues to increase, we can expect more earthquakes over the weekend.
According to Kristín Jónsdóttir, head of the monitoring group at the Icelandic Meteorological Service, there is no indication of magma movement outside the area. At the Scientific Council meeting that ended on Monday afternoon, several scenarios for the development of earthquakes in the Reykjanes peninsula were developed. New satellite images received yesterday were reviewed and compared with GPS measurements, seismic data and more.
“The latest data show that the upward movement of magma may have slowed down somewhat, but it is still rising – now it is about a kilometer deep.” Kristín said. She added that the strong earthquakes near Grindavík were not the result of magma accumulation in the area.
“The most likely site for a possible eruption is Fagradalsfjall. And this is at the southern end of this corridor, not the northern one – near Keilir. ‘
Observation and monitoring data indicate that seismic activity can affect volcanic activity. According to GPS data, Krísuvík moved about 10 centimeters to the southeast over the course of a week. This is a lot, considering that the average pace of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates is about 2.5 cm per year. With this movement, enormous stresses are created in the earth’s crust, which are released from time to time in the form of earthquakes. The resulting cracks can become an outlet for the magma that accumulates under the surface.
Source: Yle
