Update 6. May
Deformation data (GPS) show clear signs of ongoing uplift in Svartsengi, although its rate has slowed in recent weeks. Scientists have assessed when the likelihood of a new magma intrusion or eruption might increase. This assessment assumes that the same amount of magma must accumulate beneath Svartsengi as in previous events in the Sundhnúkur crater row. If the uplift continues at the same rate as today, the likelihood of a new dike or eruption is expected to increase as autumn approaches. However, if the rate of uplift, and thus the magma accumulation under Svartsengi, changes, it will affect this assessment.
Read moreUpdated April 8, at 16:15 UTC
Deformation measurements clearly show that uplift beneath Svartsengi is ongoing. The current uplift rate is faster than that observed following previous eruptions. This may be explained by the large volume of magma — around 30 million cubic meters — that was released from the system during the most recent event.
However, it is still too early to predict how the rate of magma accumulation will develop. Past events have shown that accumulation rates typically decline as more time passes between eruptions. At least a week, and possibly several weeks, will need to pass before we can evaluate if — and how — the rate of accumulation will change.
Read moreUpdated 25. March at 15:00 UTC
GPS deformation data shows that magma continues to accumulate beneath Svartsengi, although the pace of land uplift has slightly decreased in recent weeks. Despite the slower uplift, experts still consider it likely that a magma intrusion and/or eruption will occur along the Sundhnúkur crater row.
Read moreAt around 14:30 yesterday (12 March 2025), a rather intense earthquake swarm began offshore Reykjanestá. The swarm was most intense at the beginning when about 50 – 60 earthquakes were recorded in the first few hours. As the day progressed, the activity decreased but then increased again shortly before midnight when an earthquake of magnitude 3.5 occurred. When the activity increased again in the evening, it shifted slightly westward as the image shows (blue circles indicate the location of earthquakes that occurred at the beginning of the swarm yesterday, while yellow and red ones show earthquakes from late last evening and night).
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