Swarm of Earthquakes Hits Reykjanes Peninsula: Orange Aviation Color Code

Keilir mountain.

Keilir mountain. mbl.is/Eggert Jóhannesson

Vala Hafstað

A swarm of earthquakes that started around 5 pm yesterday is still affecting the Reykjanes peninsula, Southwest Iceland, mbl.is reports. The largest one, of magnitude 4.2, hit at 4:24 am. Its source was at a depth of 3.3 km, 1.7 km northeast of Fagradalsfjall mountain.

The location of the seismic activity.

The location of the seismic activity. Map/Icelandic Met Office


According to vedur.is , more than 1,100 tremors have registered since yesterday afternoon, 23 of which were in excess of magnitude 3. The most recent one hit at 9:13 am, while this story was being written, causing the reporter’s computer screen to tremble. It was of magnitude 3.7. Its source was at a depth of 4.2 km, 2.6 km north-northeast of Fagradalsfjall mountain. [An even stronger one, of magnitude 4.9, hit at 9:23 am.]

Aviation color codes.

Aviation color codes. Map/Icelandic Met Office


It has only been a few days since the eruption in Fagradalsfjall, which began March 19, was officially declared over. Traditionally, eruptions are declared over when no volcanic activity has been detected for three months, and no lava flow has been detected there since September 18.

Due to the present seismic activity, the aviation color code for the Reykjanes peninsula has been changed to orange, indicating that a “[v]olcano is exhibiting heightened unrest with increased likelihood of eruption,” according to the definition on vedur.is.

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