New Magma Instrusion on Sundhnukur Crater Row | News

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1.4.2025

Up to date April 2, at 15:15 UTC

• No eruptive exercise has been noticed at
  the fissure since yesterday afternoon, though glowing remains to be seen
  within the new lava discipline.
• The dike that shaped yesterday is sort of
  20 km lengthy and is the longest one noticed because the seismic unrest started
  in November 2023.
• Since yesterday morning, the bottom has
  subsided greater than 25 cm on the GPS station in Svartsengi (SENG) and
  continues to subside, though at a a lot slower charge.
• Roughly 90% of the magma that had
  amassed within the magma chamber beneath Svartsengi because the finish of the
  earlier eruption in December 2024 has already transferred into the dike
  that shaped on April 1.
• Over time, the probability of a brand new
  eruptive opening forming alongside the dike is reducing, although it can’t be
  dominated out resulting from ongoing microseismicity within the space.
• Displacements have been recorded on a number of
  GPS stations inside Grindavík in reference to fault actions.

No exercise has been noticed on the eruptive
fissure since yesterday afternoon, although glowing remains to be seen within the newly
shaped lava. The world stays unstable and unsafe. Measurements present that
the lava quantity erupted yesterday was about 0.4 million cubic meters. This
estimate relies on knowledge collected by specialists from the Icelandic Institute of
Pure Historical past throughout an aerial survey of the eruption web site yesterday
afternoon. The lava discipline shaped is the smallest one noticed because the
eruption sequence at Sundhnúkur crater row started in December 2023. Its quantity
is roughly 1/6 of the lava discipline from the January 2024 eruption, which
was the second smallest occasion within the sequence.

 The map exhibits the extent of the lava discipline shaped throughout
yesterday’s eruption, based mostly on measurements by the Icelandic Institute of
Pure Historical past.

Regardless of the small lava discipline, the dike that
shaped yesterday is sort of 20 km lengthy—the longest because the onset of seismic
unrest in November 2023. This means that the overwhelming majority of magma that
left the magma chamber beneath Svartsengi, about 90% of the amount amassed
because the earlier eruption in December 2024, was utilized in forming the dike, and
solely a small portion reached the floor north of Grindavík.

Since yesterday morning, floor subsidence of
greater than 25 cm has been recorded on the GPS station in Svartsengi (SENG). The
newest GPS measurements, from 8 a.m. this morning, verify that subsidence is
ongoing, although it has slowed considerably. A lot of the magma that had
amassed because the final eruption has now moved from Svartsengi into the
newly shaped dike.

Picture of GPS station (8-hr resolution):
SENG_4hrap.png (2473×2664)

Caption: The graph exhibits 4-hour options for the GPS station SENG, situated
in Svartsengi. The information shows displacements within the north, east, and vertical
instructions (high, center, backside).

In reference to faulting inside Grindavík,
displacements have been measured at a number of GPS stations within the city. The most important
displacements occurred within the jap a part of the city. As an example, vertical
motion of simply over 10 cm and horizontal displacement of 5–8 cm was recorded
at a station on Austurvegur. Within the western half, horizontal motion of about
6 cm was measured on the station on the western fringe of city. The overall
displacement noticed inside Grindavík because the onset of the occasion yesterday
morning is as much as about 50 cm, distributed over a number of faults within the space.

Seismicity and deformation have
decreased since final night time

For the reason that magma intrusion started round 06:30
yesterday morning, roughly 2,400 earthquakes have been detected in
reference to the dike formation. The dike propagated steadily northeast
till about 21:00 final night time. Since then, exercise has remained centered north
of Fagradalsfjall and lengthening previous Keilir. Seismic exercise continues at a
average stage, however earthquake magnitudes have usually decreased in comparison with
yesterday, as illustrated within the accompanying determine. Deformation measurements
additionally point out that the dike extends past Keilir, aligning with the
distribution of seismicity.

Determine from “Skjálftalísa” (quake evaluation
software)

Caption: Seismic exercise above the dike from 06:30 on April 1 to 12:00 on
April 2. Prime proper: earthquake magnitude. Center graph: variety of earthquakes
per hour. Decrease left: earthquake latitudes. Decrease proper: earthquake longitudes.

 Probability of recent eruptive opening
reducing over time

Given the present growth within the southern
a part of the dike—marked by the absence of eruptive exercise and low
seismicity—it’s more and more unlikely that the eruption which started yesterday
will reinitiate. Concerning the northeastern a part of the dike, the probability of
a brand new eruptive opening can also be thought of decrease with time, though it can’t
be dominated out resulting from persistent microseismicity within the space.

Deformation measurements over the approaching days
will present a clearer image of whether or not magma continues to movement from
Svartsengi into the dike and the way magma accumulation beneath Svartsengi evolves.

The hazard evaluation has been up to date and is
legitimate till 15:00 on Friday, April 4, if no adjustments happen. Key updates embody:

·        
Zone 3 (Sundhnúkur crater row): Total hazard
stage now assessed as excessive (crimson), down from very excessive (purple).

• Zone 4 (Grindavík): Hazard stage lowered
  to appreciable (orange), from excessive (crimson), because the probability of a brand new
  eruptive opening has decreased.
• Zone 6: Hazard stage now thought of
  appreciable (orange), beforehand excessive (crimson).

Geological inspection and monitoring of faults
inside Grindavík doesn’t fall below the jurisdiction of the Icelandic
Meteorological Workplace. Nonetheless, GPS knowledge from the IMO point out fault actions
inside Grindavík associated to the dike intrusion that shaped on April 1.

The hazard map issued by the Icelandic Meteorological Workplace doesn’t take into
account the non-public threat related to coming into the marked zones. The IMO
refers as an alternative to the chance evaluation ready by the Authorities Process Pressure on
Grindavík and the suggestions of the Police Commissioner of Suðurnes.

 

Up to date April 1st at 21:40 UTC

Based mostly on webcam observations, no eruptive
exercise is seen on the fissure that opened this morning simply north of
Grindavík. Solely minor glow is detectable right here and there alongside the eruption
fissure and inside the lava discipline.

Seismic exercise and deformation resulting from magma
motion proceed on the northeastern finish of the dike that shaped as we speak. In
whole, seismic exercise has been recorded throughout a roughly 20 km lengthy space,
extending from the southern finish of the eruptive fissure to the situation the place
seismicity is now most intense.

The earthquakes are nonetheless occurring at
appreciable depth, and there are not any indicators that the migrating magma is
approaching the floor. Based on mannequin calculations from this afternoon,
roughly 15 million cubic meters of magma had flowed from Svartsengi into
the dike beneath the Sundhnúkur crater row, with solely a small fraction of that
quantity having reached the floor. Previous to the eruption, round 22 million
cubic meters of magma had amassed within the magma reservoir beneath Svartsengi
because the final eruption, suggesting that there should be potential for
additional magma motion.

So long as seismic exercise and deformation
proceed inside the dike, the opportunity of a brand new eruptive fissure opening
should be thought of. The most certainly location for such a gap is within the space
the place seismic exercise is presently most intense. Ought to an eruption happen, it
could also be accompanied by vital seismic exercise, doubtlessly noticeable to
residents in Vogar.

Map displaying reviewed earthquakes on the
Reykjanes Peninsula since 6 AM, April 1st.

Up to date April 1st at 18:30 PM

Volcanic exercise north of Grindavík continues
to lower, with little seen exercise on webcams or in current drone
footage. Nonetheless, seismic exercise continues. Earthquake exercise close to the
southern a part of the magma dike, near Grindavík, has decreased, whereas
exercise on the northern finish of the dike continues with related depth and
has shifted even additional north in current hours. The seismic exercise now
extends virtually 9 km farther north than the northernmost eruption fissure shaped
in the course of the August 2024 eruption. The most important earthquakes have been round
magnitude 3 and have been felt in Vogar, which is about 7 km northwest of the
lively space.

The map exhibits the situation of earthquakes recorded as we speak, April
1, 2025, together with identified fault traces within the space. It signifies that the
dominant fracture orientation within the area is NE-SW. No identified fractures are
mapped within the Vogar space.

Deformation measurements present that magma is
nonetheless flowing from Svartsengi into the dike beneath the Sundhnúkur crater row.
The seismic exercise means that the magma is shifting northeast. Earthquakes
are occurring at depths of roughly 4–6 km, and deformation knowledge from this
space is presently being analyzed. So long as vital seismic exercise and
deformation proceed, there stays a risk that magma may attain the
floor once more within the Sundhnúkur crater row or close by the place exercise is most concentrated.

The next map exhibits
the lava extent as of 12:34 PM, shaped by the eruption that started this
morning. The map relies on ICEYE satellite tv for pc imagery.

The hazard evaluation has
been up to date and is legitimate till 3:00 PM tomorrow, April 2,
except situations change. The hazard stage for Zone 3 (Sundhnúkur crater row)
stays very excessive (purple). In Zone 4 (Grindavík), the hazard stage has been
downgraded to excessive (crimson), resulting from lowered threat from ashfall and gasoline air pollution.
Adjustments have additionally been made to the hazard ranges in Zones 7 and 5, which have
been raised from average (yellow) to appreciable (orange) resulting from ongoing
seismic exercise close to the northeastern finish of the dike.

Up to date April 1st at 14:40 PM

Based on webcam observations, the volcanic
exercise seems to have decreased considerably previously hour. 

Seismic exercise remains to be ongoing however is
principally situated on the northern and southern a part of the dike intrusion.

Deformation measurements
nonetheless present continued motion to the northeast, indicating that magma remains to be
flowing into the dyke

Up to date April 1st at 12:35 PM

The overall size of the eruptive fissure is
now about 1,200 meters and continues to increase southward.

The Icelandic Meteorological Workplace obtained a report {that a} sizzling water pipeline
has damaged within the northern a part of Grindavík. This confirms that vital
fault actions have occurred inside the city.

Ongoing seismic exercise is being recorded
alongside the whole dike intrusion, with probably the most intense exercise on the
northeastern finish. The intrusion now extends over 3 km additional to the northeast
than noticed in earlier eruptions. Deformation knowledge additionally present continued
displacement towards the northeast. This means that magma remains to be shifting
by way of the dike intrusion.

Seismic exercise over the dike intrusion since 4 AM this morning, April 1st.

Up to date April 1st at 11:00 AM

The fissure has prolonged southward. A brand new
eruptive fissure has opened a couple of hundred meters contained in the protecting limitations
north of Grindavík – between the limitations and the city itself.

(The brand new fissure opening is on the left on the photograph).

The climate forecast signifies southwesterly
winds as we speak (Tuesday), carrying volcanic gasoline northeastward, together with over the
capital space. Winds are anticipated to calm within the night, concentrating the gasoline
air pollution primarily across the eruptive fissure. Tomorrow morning (Wednesday),
winds will shift to northwesterly and later westerly, dispersing the gasoline
southeastward and later eastward – together with over Þorlákshöfn and the Ölfus
area. The gasoline dispersion forecast may be discovered right here.

Seismic exercise continues on the southern finish
of the magma intrusion and likewise north of Stóra-Skógfell. Earthquakes have additionally
been measured close to Reykjanestá, that are possible triggered (fault-slip)
earthquakes resulting from stress launch associated to the exercise within the Sundhnúkur
crater row. Extra details about the exercise may be discovered here .

Up to date April 1st at 10:30 AM

Preliminary experiences from the Coast Guard
surveillance flight point out that the fissure is now about 700 meters lengthy and
has remained comparatively secure, though it can’t be dominated out that it could
lengthen additional north or south. Seismic exercise and deformation measurements
proceed to point out ongoing exercise.

The hazard evaluation has been up to date. The
alert stage for the Sundhnúkur crater row (Zone 3) has been raised to very
excessive hazard (purple), and in Grindavík (Zone 4) has been elevated from excessive
hazard (crimson) to very excessive hazard (purple). This hazard evaluation is legitimate till April 2 at 10:30 AM, except situations
change.

Up to date April 1st at 10:00 AM

The fissure is now about 500 meters lengthy and
has reached by way of the protecting barrier north of Grindavík. The fissure
continues to develop, and it can’t be dominated out that it could proceed to open
additional south.

Updates from the Coast Guard helicopter are nonetheless awaited.

The map exhibits the fissure that’s now about 500 m. lengthy.

Up to date April 1st at 9:45 AM

An eruption has began simply north of the
protecting barrier close to Grindavík.

A Coast Guard helicopter will take off shortly
to verify the precise location and dimension of the eruption.

The size of the magma intrusion below the
Sundhnúkur crater row that has already shaped is about 11 km, which is the
longest measured since November 11, 2023.

Extra info will likely be out there quickly.

Given the present wind course, gasoline
air pollution from the eruption will likely be carried northeast towards the capital space.
It isn’t potential to foretell the depth of the air pollution.

Here’s a hyperlink to the Icelandic Met Workplace’s
gasoline dispersion forecast.

Up to date April 1st at 9:20 AM

The hazard evaluation has been up to date resulting from a magma intrusion within the Sundhnúkur crater row. Because of the intrusion, the probability of a volcanic eruption has elevated.

The hazard stage in space 3 has been raised from “high hazard” to “very high hazard” (purple), and in space 4 (Grindavík), the hazard stage has been raised from “considerable hazard” (orange) to “high hazard” (crimson).

The up to date hazard evaluation is legitimate till 9:00 AM on April 2, supplied that situations don’t change.

Up to date April 1st at 8:20 AM

Alerts from GPS meters are stronger than
these noticed throughout current occasions within the Sundhnúkur crater row. This
signifies {that a} appreciable quantity of magma is presently on the transfer.

The alerts present that magma is shifting each to the
northeast and southward towards Grindavík. At this stage, it’s not potential to
decide the place the magma will emerge, however it’s noteworthy that the southern displacement
of deformation alerts was not noticed in the course of the eruption that started in
November 2024.

Emergency responders in Grindavík have reported
that earthquakes may be felt within the city, and indicators of deformation are additionally
seen there, suggesting that fault actions may happen inside the city
itself.

Up to date on April 1st at 7.25 AM

An earthquake swarm started at round 6:30 AM this
morning on the Sundhnúks Crater Row. The swarm is situated between Sýlingarfell
and Stóra-Skógfell, in an identical are as seen previous to earlier eruptions.

The earthquake swarm was adopted by a transparent change in
deformation and stress adjustments in boreholes operated by HS Orka. Each
unbiased measurements have been a transparent signal of the onset of a magma
intrusion. 

No magma has reached the floor as of now, however an
eruption is more likely to happen.

The brand new will likely be up to date.