After 6 days of intense seismicity between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, a new volcanic eruption has started just northwest of Litli Hrutur at around 17:00 UTC on July 10, 2023.
Since the onset of the seismic swarm in the Reykjanes Peninsula, on July 4, 2023, more than 8 500 earthquakes have been recorded in the area between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir. While seismic activity in this area is decreasing, deformation data strongly suggests that magma is rising toward the surface.
More than 4 700 earthquakes have been detected in the area between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland since the start of seismic swarm on July 4, 2023. Ground deformation (GPS) observations show significant movements, indicating magma propagation in the region where earthquakes are highly concentrated. Magma intrusion is close enough to the Earth’s surface that a volcanic eruption could occur without further escalations in seismic activity or ground deformation.
Scientists from the University of Iceland, the Icelandic Met Office and their colleagues have published two papers in the latest issue of Nature presenting new findings from the 2021 eruption at Fagradalsfjall – the first eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula after 800 years of dormancy.
