Iceland Volcano: Likelihood Of A Magma Intrusion And Possible Eruption Remains High -- Iceland Met Office

A picture taken on June 22 into the one crater that remained active until the end of the eruption that began on May 29. (Photo: Civil Defense)

Hazard Assessment and Scenarios Remain Unchanged

Iceland Met Office

Updated 20 August at 15:00 UTC

• A trend of increasing seismic activity has been observed in recent days.

• Two earthquakes exceeding magnitude 2 were recorded last night.

• Clear signs of increasing pressure are observed in the area.

• Magma accumulation and land uplift continue at a steady rate compared to recent days.

• The volume of magma beneath Svartsengi is greater than it was before prior eruptions in the region.

• The hazard assessment and scenarios remain unchanged.

Seismic activity around the Sundhnúkar Crater Row continues to exhibit behavior similar to that observed in the days leading up to the most recent eruption, which began on May 29. Two earthquakes with magnitudes above 2 were recorded last night, bringing the total to six such earthquakes in the past week.

The seismic activity indicates that pressure continues to build in the area due to magma accumulation under Svartsengi.

The progression of magma accumulation and land uplift has remained unchanged in recent days. Model calculations show that the total volume of magma beneath Svartsengi is now greater than it was before the previous events.

The likelihood of a new magma intrusion and perhaps an eruption in the Sundhnúkar Crater Row remains high.

The hazard assessment and potential scenarios remain unchanged.

Graph showing the development of magma accumulation and the estimated total amount of magma in the magma chamber beneath Svartsengi since October 25, 2023.

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