Earthquake swarm reported at Iceland’s Katla volcano

Posted on June 17, 2011 by

June 17, 2011 – ICELAND – Around 17:10 UTC an earthquake swarm did start in Katla volcano. This earthquake swarm is focused inside the Katla caldera at small point. The one earthquake that I have so far been able to record was a long period earthquake, but that suggests that this earthquake was created by magma movement. At current time I am not sure from where this earthquake did originate from. But from Goðabunga area in Katla volcano this types of earthquakes are common and no surprise at all. At current time I do not know what this means for Katla volcano. But so far no increase in harmonic tremor has been detected on the seismometers around Katla volcano. But that might not start at current time, as harmonic tremor is only going to increase when magma starts to move inside the Katla volcano, like did happen in Grímsfjall volcano few weeks ago. The location of this earthquake swarm strongly suggests that what is going on in Katla volcano is a dike intrusion in the Katla caldera. If that is powerful enough to start an eruption is a question remained unanswered at current time. Area of activity is marked by the earthquakes. Looks like a dike intrusion into Katla caldera. I am going to update or post new blog posts as this continues to develop. I do not think that these events are over. But it is hard to know for sure, since volcanoes are impossible to predict. – Jonfr.com                                                                                  
contribution Luisport
This entry was posted in Earth Changes, Earth Watch, High-risk potential hazard zone, Potential Earthchange hotspot, Seismic tremors, Volcano Watch. Bookmark the permalink.

19 Responses to Earthquake swarm reported at Iceland’s Katla volcano

  1. kristoffer says:
    June 17, 2011 at 8:00 pm

    ohhhh no!!!!!!!!! that is not good, and everybody who feared that was going to erupt last year after Eyafjallajøkull erupted. hope it is not going to erupt around this time!!!!!

    Reply
  2. luisport says:
    June 17, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    Thank’s! It’s only begining, but i fell that will be this time… Katla don’t nead much to blow!

    Reply
  3. luisport says:
    June 17, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Magnitude ML 3.8
    Region ICELAND
    Date time 2011-06-17 17:36:32.3 UTC
    Location 63.64 N ; 19.11 W
    Depth 5 km
    Distances 148 km E Reykjavík (pop 113,906 ; local time 17:36:32.3 2011-06-17)
    147 km E Hafnarfjörður (pop 22,289 ; local time 17:36:32.3 2011-06-17)
    62 km E Vestmannæyjar (pop 4,203 ; local time 17:36:32.3 2011-06-17)

    it’s very shallow… only 5km! I think it’s time to katla.

    Reply
  4. yves says:
    June 17, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    JAI VISITER RSOE ET SUR 16 SUPERVOLCAN 12 SONT EN SONT EN EVOLUTION ET 3 SONT DEJA EN ERUPTION CI JE ME FIE A MES RECHERCHE IL EST PLUS QUE POSSIBLE QUE UN AUTRE TRANBLEMENT DE TERRE SE PRODUISE DANS LES 24HRS CE QUI CONFIRMERAI SELON MES CALCUL UNE AUTRE ERUPTION SE QUI POURRAI ENTRAINER UNE REACTION EN CHAINE VOIR MEME ACTIVER LE RING OF FIRE DU PASIFIQUE EN QUELQUE SEMAINE LE TOUT SUIVIE DUN HIVERT FROID ET LONG SUR PLUSIEUR ANNEE…

    BONNE JOURNEE

    Reply
  5. luisport says:
    June 17, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Reply
    wurzeldave says:
    June 17, 2011 at 20:46
    Anybody think the sulphur smell in the river near Katla mentioned by one of the bloggers (forget who it was) a few days ago is a connection to the swarm?

    Reply
    Chris says:
    June 17, 2011 at 20:53
    That could point to raised fumarolic activity below the glacier. And this can mean that there is something going on. But it can also mean nothing.

    Reply
  6. luisport says:
    June 17, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    Reply
    Jón Frímann says:
    June 17, 2011 at 21:34
    I did manage to record two earthquakes from the last burst of earthquakes. Both of them where long period earthquakes. That is magma pushing it’s way up the crust. The earthquakes happen at random time, so it is hard to know what is going on.

    But I have an bad feeling about this. I must say. But at the moment the best thing to do is to observe what is going on.

    Reply
    • traurig says:
      June 19, 2011 at 7:58 am

      historically the cycle of eruption for Katla is about 40 to 50 years. The last eruption was recorded in 1955, so this time it is a little overdue. Maybe we can attribute it to the 2008-2009 quiet behavior of our Sun. However, given Sun’s performance this year, we have sound reason to await something awesome anywhere anytime~

      Reply
  7. chrissio says:
    June 17, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    I have been watching the Iceland Meteorological Office earthquake page since Eyjafallajokull flared up and what is happening at Katla now stands out a mile, I am sure something’s going to happen soon, there could be scary times ahead :(

    Reply
  8. King kevin says:
    June 18, 2011 at 1:22 am

    Yes there could. did you notice 5 supervolcanoes had activity TODAY! Including good old yellowstone. Keep our eyes out is about all we can do.

    Reply
  9. skywalker says:
    June 18, 2011 at 11:49 am

    and the angels blew their horns , and the seals opened.

    Reply
  11. luisport says:
    June 18, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Earthquake swarm in Presthnjúkar volcano. Update on Katla volcano
    Posted on June 18, 2011 by Jón Frímann
    Presthnjúkar volcano: Few days ago an earthquake swarm did start in Presthnjúkar volcano. This earthquake swarm is entirely tectonic in nature. There is nothing that suggests that this earthquake swarm is connected to magma movements inside Presthnjúkar volcano system. So far this earthquake swarm has been slow and small. But the largest earthquakes have gone up to ML3.3 in size according to Icelandic Met Office. Katla volcano: Over the last 18 hours it has been quiet in Katla volcano. As no more earthquakes have been detected from it. I would not be surprised if there are more earthquakes swarms in Katla volcano in the next few weeks and months. It is an well known fact that Katla volcano is heading to an eruption. But nobody knows when that is going to happen. Besides this two highlights of earthquake activity in Iceland. It has been rather quiet in the past few weeks. With just from ~100 to ~300 earthquakes during the week.

    http://www.jonfr.com/volcano/?p=1068

    Reply
  12. jak says:
    July 8, 2011 at 2:39 am

    Hi all I live in england and I am concerned about katla and the strength of the eruption. Are we looking at a GLOBAL event or just a LOCAL Icelandic event. Could we be looking at an event that could seriously damage our enviroment? Whatever happens, its going to be a hell of a ride! take it easy jak

    Reply

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