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Recent quakes under Katla volcano in Iceland (image: IMO)
An increased number of earthquakes has been occurring at shallow depths (few km) under the SW part of the ice-covered volcano’s caldera.
The largest event was a near-surface magnitude 3.5 event 3.9 km ESE of Goðabunga at 07:09 local time this morning. Whether the quakes are volcanic in origin (a swarm caused by magma intrusion) or caused by adjustments of the glacier’s weight (or likely both) is unknown.
Magnitude vs time distribution of recent quakes at Katla (IMO)
Katla has been on elevated alert since Oct 2016 when an intense seismic swarm occurred that triggered fears the volcano might erupt again soon (its last eruption dating back to 1918 and it is thought to be statistically “overdue”).
The seismic swarm in Sep / Oct 2016 had been the largest in recent decades. It began on 29 Sep 2016, increased on 30 Sep with several quakes of magnitudes of 3 and higher, and lasted until early October.
Volcanic tremor was also detected, suggesting that it had been caused by intruding magma inside the volcano.
Courtesy of volcanodiscovery.com
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