What is reason behind 800 earthquakes within 14 hours in Iceland

Iceland declared a state of emergency after more than 800 earthquakes were recorded in 14 hours. The most powerful earthquake had a magnitude of 5.2 and hit about 40km from Reykjavik. The Icelandic Met Office stated that an eruption could occur in the coming days.

Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack in the ocean floor that separates the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Most earthquakes happen where tectonic plates meet.

The earthquakes rocked the country's southwestern Reykjanes peninsula. The accumulation of magma at a depth of around five kilometers raises significant concerns about the likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the region. 

The Icelandic Met Office stated that an eruption could occur in the coming days. The agency said people must leave the town, but also emphasized it was not an "emergency evacuation". They called on people to "remain calm, because we have a good amount of time to react". 

800 earthquakes in 14 hours

The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) has warned that a volcanic eruption could occur within the next few days. This comes after the village of Grindavik, home to approximately 4,000 residents, experienced a swarm of earthquakes. The village, located about three kilometres southwest of the earthquake epicentre, has already put evacuation plans in place.

Around 1730 GMT, two strong earthquakes were felt as far away as the capital, Reykjavik, some 40 kilometres away, and along much of the country’s southern coast. These tremors, the largest of which had a magnitude of 5.2, rattled windows and household objects, causing significant alarm.

In response to the tremors, police closed a road running north-south to Grindavik after it sustained damage. Since late October, the peninsula has registered some 24,000 tremors, with nearly 800 quakes occurring between midnight and 1400 GMT on Friday alone.

The IMO has noted an accumulation of magma underground at a depth of about five kilometres. If this magma starts moving towards the surface, it could lead to a volcanic eruption. However, the IMO predicts that it will likely take several days rather than hours for the magma to reach the surface.

The Department of Civil Protection dispatched the patrol vessel Thor to Grindavik for security purposes. Authorities will open emergency shelters and help centres in Grindavik and three other locations in southern Iceland, aiming to provide information and assistance to those affected.

Reasons behind so many earthquakes

The country’s high volcanic activity can attribute to the occurrence of 800 earthquakes within 14 hours in Iceland. Iceland holds rank as one of the most active volcanic areas on the planet. A rift valley with lava fields and cones dominates the Reykjanes Peninsula, the region where the earthquakes were registered.

The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) noted an accumulation of magma underground at a depth of about five kilometres. If this magma starts moving towards the surface, it could lead to a volcanic eruption. The IMO has stated that it will likely take several days rather than hours for the magma to reach the surface.

This seismic activity could be a precursor to a volcanic eruption. The IMO has registered some 24,000 tremors on the peninsula since late October, with a dense swarm of nearly 800 quakes registered between midnight and 1400 GMT on a single day.

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