Over 2,000 Tremors Recorded In Northeast Iceland In Less Than A Week

A seismic swarm has been ongoing in region of Öxarfjörður of northeast Iceland since at least last Saturday, and continues to rumble along. The event is prompting the Icelandic Met Office to note it especially for the size of the tremors, some of which have a magnitude of 3 or greater.

Öxarfjörður is a remote area of northeast Iceland, but the village of Kópasker is only six kilometres away from an ongoing seismic swarm. Beginning last Saturday, this cluster of tremors has been continuing since then, and now number over 2,100 tremors in all. Eight quakes with a magnitude of 3 or higher have been detected, the largest being a 4.2 recorded on March 27.

In fact, 350 quakes have been recorded in the seismic swarm today alone, and are continuing at the time of this writing.

Despite this area being one pronounced seismic activity—the ridge between the North American and European tectonic plates passes through the region—there are as yet no signs that a volcanic eruption is imminent. That said, authorities are in a low state of alert, monitoring the situation closely.

More updates will be provided as they arise.