A new volcanic eruption has just begun north of the dam near Grindavík, Iceland, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) reported at 09:45 UTC. A Coast Guard helicopter was sent to confirm the exact location and size of the eruption. This is the 11th eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021 and the 9th on the Sundhnúk crater series.
Magma accumulation beneath Svartsengi has reached its highest recorded level since the beginning of the ongoing eruption series in December 2023. The volume of magma beneath Svartsengi is now greater than what was recorded before the November 2024 eruption.
Magma accumulation beneath Svartsengi has reached a critical volume, matching the levels observed during the last eruption on November 20, 2024. A volcanic eruption could occur at very short notice, potentially within days or weeks, according to the IMO. The IMO has revised its hazard assessment which remains in effect until February 25.
Magma accumulation beneath Svartsengi is nearing the critical threshold, with over 90% of the volume recorded before the last eruption on November 20, 2024, increasing the likelihood of a dike intrusion and possible eruption. Seismic activity remains steady, and land uplift continues.
Magma continues accumulating beneath Svartsengi at a rate nearing the levels observed before the previous eruption. Deformation measurements confirm ongoing ground uplift, with geophysical models estimating that the subsurface magma volume is approaching the threshold associated with past magma intrusions.
An M3.2 earthquake was recorded during the ongoing seismic activity near Grjótárvatn, Iceland, on January 16, 2025. It was the strongest event since August 2024. Nearly 100 earthquakes above M1 were recorded in January alone, matching the highest monthly count previously recorded in December 2024.
A powerful earthquake swarm started in the NW part of Bárðarbunga caldera, Iceland at 06:08 UTC on January 14, 2025. Initial data indicate that dozens of quakes occurred in rapid succession, hinting at possible volcanic or tectonic unrest deep beneath the ice. The current activity may be similar to the beginning of the swarm that occurred before the 2014 Holuhraun eruption.
Seismic readings indicated the onset of a glacial outburst flood from Grímsvötn volcano on January 13, 2025. Grímsvatn floods have occurred almost annually since November 2021. There are examples of volcanic eruptions occurring due to pressure relief in Grímsvötn after water gushes from there. However, glacial outburst floods have occurred much more frequently without volcanic eruptions.
Seismic activity near Grjótárvatn has increased with a tremor episode on January 2, 2025, indicating a potential deep magmatic intrusion. The IMO has reported earthquakes at depths of 15 to 20 km (9.3 to 12.4 miles) which suggests subsurface magma movement without surface deformation.
The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) detected an earthquake swarm in Hofsjökull volcano on December 13, 2024, with the strongest quake recorded as M3.3 at a depth of 8.8 km (5.5 miles). The last eruption of the Hofsjökull volcano occurred approximately 12 000 years ago.
