Beginning of unrest of yet another volcano in Iceland?

[url=http://hraun.vedur.is/ja/englishweb/vatnajokull.html]

Over the last 3 days there has been increased earthquake activity in the northern portion of the Vatnajokull glacier around/near 2 active volcanoes- Grimsvotn and Bardarbunga…

[url=http://hraun.vedur.is/ja/englishweb/vatnajokull.html]

Could Katla be a red herring? Could one or both of these volcanos be next?

It was noted in the published Eyjafjallajokull activity report today…

“No measurable geophysical changes within the Katla volcano. Earthquake activity on the north-western edge of Vatnajökull is unconnected with the ongoing eruption.”

So what is it connected with? I am trying to learn the geology of this region but it is so complex, what could be causing this increase in earthquakes at this location?

reply to post by kupoliveson


I have flagged and starred, for two reasons. One, this activity actually has diminished slightly, but there is still current activity to the NW of Askja which is not far from the Vatnajokull glacier.

Two, people should also note that this glacier has Grímsvötn underneath it and another volcano Esjufjöll which has recently been flagged as a potential eruption site - maybe next year or so.

Smithsonian info on Esjufjöll

Smithsonian info on Grímsvötn

Map of the relevant area.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/c35af5c2e496.png[/atsimg]

Iceland has a number of active volcanoes and it is a certainty that there will be another eruption in the near future, and of course the current one could go on for another year.

By the way, with regard to the recent 'excitement' about Hekla, I should point out that last time Hekla erupted there were no earthquakes until 1 hour before it happened! That lady gives away nothing.

So what is it connected with? I am trying to learn the geology of this region but it is so complex, what could be causing this increase in earthquakes at this location?

Basically if you are sitting on top of a 400+mile deep column o' magma that is 90 miles wide you have to expect some activity!

Take a look at my post in Volcano Watch about the column of magma.

[edit on 27/4/2010 by PuterMan]