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🇮🇸 Iceland /Disasters & Emergencies

Around 200 earthquakes measured in swarm on Reykjanes Ridge

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Around 200 earthquakes have been measured in a seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Ridge, which began about 24 hours ago.
  • The largest quake in the swarm measured 3.5 magnitude early this morning, and was felt as far as Akranes.
  • Experts at the Icelandic Met Office state that seismic activity has been gradually decreasing but expect some tremors to continue.

A seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Ridge has produced approximately 200 earthquakes over the past 24 hours, with the largest measuring 3.5 magnitude. The swarm began about a day ago, and the strongest tremor occurred early this morning, reportedly felt in Akranes.

Experts at the Icelandic Met Office observe a gradual decrease in seismic activity. However, they anticipate that some tremors may persist through tonight and into tomorrow. Despite the ongoing activity, scientists are not detecting any signs that this swarm is a precursor to larger geological events.

We are not seeing any movement on GPS devices, no unrest or anything like that. This is happening right on the plate boundary, and we do see earthquake swarms on the Reykjanes Ridge from time to time.

— Elísabet PálmandóttirA natural hazards specialist at the Icelandic Met Office explains the current seismic activity.

"We are not seeing any movement on GPS devices, no unrest or anything like that," explained Elísabet Pálmandóttir, a natural hazards specialist at the Met Office. "This is happening right on the plate boundary, and we do see earthquake swarms on the Reykjanes Ridge from time to time."

She added that "a lot of tension is building up on the peninsula, and that can contribute to such swarms." The Met Office will continue to monitor the area closely.

a lot of tension is building up on the peninsula, and that can contribute to such swarms.

— Elísabet PálmandóttirThe natural hazards specialist at the Icelandic Met Office comments on factors contributing to the earthquake swarm.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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