The Icelandic Meteorological Office reported an unusual increase in seismic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland on 30 October. Overall, 1.3 thousand earthquakes were recorded in the area. More than 300 earthquakes were recorded between midnight and 7 a.m., the largest of which had a magnitude of 3.0.

The seismic activity originated about three kilometres north of Grindavík, near the famous Blue Lagoon.

On 31 October, the earthquakes continued, reaching a magnitude of 3.7, with depths ranging between 1.5 to 5 kilometers.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office is diligently monitoring the situation. Their primary focus is to detect any increase in micro-seismic activity closer to the surface, which would serve as a clear indication that magma might be breaching the Earth's crust.

Satellite images taken on Saturday already showed signs of land deformation near Svartsengi, one of the five major high-temperature areas of the Reykjanes Peninsula. New satellite images are awaited.

In addition, the Icelandic Meteorological Office has already informed the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management. However, more often than not, movements of magma akin to this one tend to dissipate without culminating in a volcanic eruption.

Iceland is an Arctic State where the Arctic Circle passes through its northernmost community, Grimsey Island, 40 kilometers off the north coast of Iceland. It is one of eight member states of the Arctic Council.

Source: Ruv

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