Land rising faster than before

There are still signs of a possible volcanic eruption or other magma-run, such as the one that occurred on November 10, which caused a catastrophe in Grindavík, while magma continues to accumulate under the surface at Svartsengi.

This is stated in a new announcement from the Icelandic Met Office.

It says that land is continuing to rise beneath Svartsengi, although it has slowed since Friday.

The speed of the land rising is still higher than the speed measured in the days before November 10, when the magma dike under Grindavík was formed.

Volcanic eruption most likely north of Grindavík

If a magma-run-off occurs, it is considered most likely that the magma will run back into the magma dike that was formed on November 10.

It is considered most likely that a volcanic eruption would occur north of Grindavík, towards Hagafell and the area around Sundhnúkagígar crater row.

Seismic activity has reportedly remained relatively similar in recent days. Seismic activity is still mild and is most pronounced in the area near Hagafell.

Earth is shaking near the magma dike near Hagafell

Since midnight, 125 earthquakes have been measured near Grindavík, three of which measured more than 2 in magnitude, the largest of which measured 2,8. All three earthquakes were detected at Hagafell.

Seismic activity can be expected

Salóme Jórunn Bernharðsdóttir, a natural-hazard specialist at the Icelandic Met Office, tells us that a sustained seismic activity was to be expected along the magma dike, as it is cooling where there is coagulation.

“It’s something we’ve been able to see when magma dikes form, and doesn’t tell us anything more about the future,” she says.

Bernharðsdóttir says that earthquakes of this magnitude have been detected most days in the past.

“Some days we haven’t been measuring many earthquakes in two days, but other days we’ve measured a little more, so it’s all normal and as we could expect.”