Major quake on the way?
Photo: Screenshot from ICE-SAR video
Measurements of crustal movements in south-west Iceland suggest the presence of tectonic tension which may cause large earthquakes, according to the Civil Protection Department (CPD) of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police (NCIP).
Recent weeks have seen increased seismic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula are surrounding areas, including a Richter-4 tremor are the end of May which was felt throughout Greater Reykjavik.
Such activity can generate greater instability in crustal tension over a larger area. In this case, the data suggest that the area affected could stretch from the Kleifarvatn lake on the Reykjanes peninsula all the way east to the Ölfus river flowing through Selfoss.
“Historical data indicate that earthquakes in this area can reach 6.5 on the Richter scale,” reads a CPD statement. “The Bláfjöll area saw Richter-6 quakes in 1929 and 1968.”
Tremors of that magnitude could cause minor structural damage in nearby urban areas (e.g. Greater Reykjavik, Grindavík, Þorlákshöfn, Hveragerði, Reykjanesbær) and trigger considerable panic among residents.
It is, however, impossible to predict where or when any quake might occur.
CPD advice on safety measures to take and how to respond in the event of an earthquake can be found here. A guidance video (in Icelandic) from ICE-SAR is also available here.
