Overview of Earthquake activity

About 2,100 earthquakes were located by the natural hazards specialists at the Icelandic Meteorological Office in January, representing a slight increase compared to the past three months. The highest activity was observed on the Reykjanes Peninsula, followed by Grjótárvatn and Bárðarbunga. The largest earthquake of the month was measured at M4.9 in Bárðarbunga on January 14. A total of 30 earthquakes exceeded M3.0 in magnitude, with 21 of them occurring in Bárðarbunga.

For more details on seismic activity, see: Skjálfta Lísa.

Over 1,750 earthquakes were recorded in Iceland during December. The number of earthquakes is similar to the past two months. The highest activity was observed on the Reykjanes Peninsula and Reykjanes Ridge, followed by the Grjótarvatn area. The sixth volcanic eruption of 2024 occurred from November 20 to December 8, making it the second-largest eruption by volume in the Sundhnúkar crater row. The largest earthquake of the month was a magnitude 5.1 in Bárðarbunga. A total of nine earthquakes exceeded magnitude 3, including two in Bárðarbunga.

For more details on seismic activity, see Skjálfta Lísa.

Overall, about 1,700 earthquakes were detected across the country in November. Seismic activity was relatively low compared to other months this year, which is notable given that a volcanic eruption began on November 20th between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell. The eruption started with a little warning, with seismic activity increasing about an hour prior. Around 100 earthquakes were recorded during the swarm, the largest of which measured M1.9. Since the eruption began, there has been minimal seismic activity in the area. The eruption continues and has now become the second-largest eruption in the Sundhnúkur crater row.
The largest earthquake of the month was M3.6 in Bárðarbunga. A total of seven earthquakes above M3.0 were detected, including two in Bárðarbunga.

For more details on seismic activity, see: Skjálfta Lísa .