Nature

Monster volcano Bárðarbunga bid 2016 farewell with a powerful earthquake swarm

By Staff

Ice above the Sub-glacial volcano Bárðarbunga Iceland's most powerful volcano welcomed the new year with a powerful earthquake swarm. Photo/Icelandic Meteorological Office

According to old myths the elves and hidden people of Iceland come out to play on New Year's eve, a myth many connect to the tradition of New Year's bonfires which light up the night for the mythical beings. But it is not just mythical beings who come out on New Year's eve: One of the real monsters of Iceland woke up on New Year Day to remind us that we share this island with forces far beyond our control.

On December 31 a powerful earthquake swarm hit Bárðarbunga. The Icelandic Meteorological Office detected two earthquakes, larger than 3 on the Richter scale hit in the afternoon, accompanied by more than 20 smaller quakes. The first, a 2.8 magnitude quake at 17:31 was followed by two more powerful 3.3 and 3.6 magnitude quakes. The activity continued throughout the night, and picked up again this morning with a 2.8 magnitude quake at 2:09 am.

Bárðarbunga has seen constant seismic activity since the 2014-2015 Holuhraun eruption. Dozens of powerful earthquakes, larger than 3 on the Richter scale, have been detected. The seismic activity is most likely caused by the re-filling of the magma chambers of the sub-glacial Bárðarbunga, which is the heart of the most powerful volcanic system in Iceland.