[ Earthwatchers ] [ Main Menu ]
97155
From: ao, [DNS_Address]
Subject: The next Reykjanes peninsula Eruption could be sooner than later
|
In terms of seismic activity, the magma is located on the Reykjanes peninsula at a depth of about two kilometres. In terms of the scenario from the previous two volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes peninsula, the eruption could occur in less than five days. This is what Benedikt Gunnar Ófeigsson, a tectonics expert at the Icelandic Met Office, says about the earthquake and possible volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula. “I would think the magma is at a depth of two to three kilometers. It’s pretty shallow and it looks like an eruption could happen soon. The time is always getting shorter. In the first eruption, it was two weeks until the eruption. “In the last eruption, it was only five days before it started to erupt,” says Ófeigsson. “We have to assume that it is shorter until an eruption happens now, we can’t be sure about that, but we have to be ready for it, ” he adds, asked about the possible timing of an eruption based on the history of the last two volcanic eruptions in the area. Many similarities to the last volcanic eruptions Asked if this is as the same scenario as last year when the eruption of Meradalur erupted, Ófeigsson says it is very similar. He also says that if there is a volcanic eruption, it suggests that it will be similar to volcanic eruptions in the last few years. “The activity is a little bit farther north than it was then. The magma always looks for cracks where it’s easiest to go. How far it will go cannot be determined. Time must tell. We are not expecting a great flow there. This is not threatening any infrastructure or settlement, unless it becomes a significant long eruption,” he says, adding that magma is most likely to emerge between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir. Expecting large quakes Ófeigsson says that quakes of magnitude 6.0-6.3 can be expected at the Sulfur Mountains, closer to the capital area. “With the Sulfur mountains, there is a high tension. We are closer to the capital area, which could be the greatest danger. There are two risks. There may be rockfall, so it’s not a good idea now to be close to steep slopes. Then people have to consider the traditional preparation for an earthquake. “Make sure shelves are secure and look after loose objects,” he says, pleading for people to be careful. The magma makes its way toward the surface Asked what triggers an earthquake like this, Benedikt points out that the land rise has been ongoing in the Reykjanes peninsula region since April. He says that the land rise has triggered seismic activity elsewhere in the country, and reiterates that seismic activity at Bárðarbunga and at Vífilsfell in the last few days has not triggered a seismic event on the Reykjanes peninsula. “What happens now is that the pressure of magma is expected to be so great that the crust can not suppress it. So now it’s starting to move out of the magma chamber and into the crust towards Keilir mountain. It’s coming towards the surface.” |
Responses:
[97156]
97156
From: ao, [DNS_Address]
Subject: Earthquake of magnitude 4.8 this morning originating in Fagradalsfjall
URL: Around 1600 earthquakes have been detected in Reykjanes peninsula since yesterday.
 Around 1600 earthquakes have been detected in Reykjanes peninsula since yesterday. Screenshot/The Met Office An earthquake was felt well in the capital area at 7.31 this morning. It was felt well in Hádegismóar in Reykjavík, where mbl.is and Morgunblaðið are located, and in Seltjarnarnes. At least five quakes larger than 3 have been reported in Reykjanes since 6 am this morning. Early measurements indicate the quake was magnitude 4.3 and originated at Fagradalsfjall, according to the Icelandic Met Office’s natural hazards specialist. The Meteorological Office has no way of reviewing the earthquakes measured in Reykjanes last 24 hours, so these are preliminary results. Another quake of similar magnitude was felt in the capital area at 7:4 AM and another one that seemed veru strong at 8:23 AM and now it has been reported to be 4.8 in magnitude. A swarm of earhquakes started yesterday An earthquake of 3.6 magnitude hit the Reykjanes peninsula last night at 11 PM. The quake is the largest to hit the area in the past year. The quake was felt well in the Reykjanes peninsula and the capital region. It is part of an earthquake swarm that has been ongoing in Fagradalsfjall mountain since 16 AM yesterday, with around 500 small earthquakes since then, most of them under 2 in strength. Continued seismic activity expected Elísabet Pálmadóttir, a natural hazard specialist at the Icelandic Met Office, told mbl.is last night that continued seismic activity can be expected overnight and even in the next few days. However, no unrest is measured in the area. Meanwhile, Pálmadóttir says that the activity indicates an influx of magma under Fagradalsfjall, but in early April, a land rise began to be measured in the area. The likelihood is that the area is waking up again The area has not seen similar activity since the eruption nearly a year ago. “These conditions may die down, but there is a good chance that the area will be awakening again. Whether it will end in an eruption is difficult to tell.” 1600 earthaquakes detected since yesterday This morning, over 1600 earthquakes had been reported in the earthquake swarm that started yesterday. In total, 11 earthquakes have been recorded with a magnitude greater than 3. This morning 4 earthquakes have been reported over 4 in magnitude. This is reported in a notice from the Icelandic Met Office’s Natural Hazards Watch. It says the quakes have been well felt in the Reykjanes peninsula, the capital region and Akranes. Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management in a meeting now Continued seismic activity is expected in the coming days and people are advised not to travel in the area where rockfall is more likely. Land rise at Fagradalsfjall began in early April and the activity is now believed to be caused by magma intrusion at a depth of about 5 kilometers. The scientists of the Icelandic Met Office and the University of Iceland are in a meeting with the Icelandic Met Office that started at 9 AM and review further data, as announced. The quake was at a depth of around 6.4 km and was located about 1.8 km east-northeast-northeast of Fagradalsfjall, the website of the Icelandic Met Office stated. |
Responses:
None
[ Earthwatchers ] [ Main Menu ]