Mysterious Iceland Earthquake Swarm Hits Over 13,000 Quakes in 3 Weeks – That’s the Biggest Seismic Unrest in More than 40 Years Showing the Forces That Split the Island in Two

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An ongoing earthquake swarm in Iceland has now reached over 13,000 quakes since it began on June 19.

This is the biggest swarm to hit the Tjörnes Fracture zone in the north of the country in almost half a century, and experts are unsure what is causing it.

earthquake swarm iceland 2020, More than 13,000 earthquakes hit NE of Siglufjörður in the largest seismic swarm in 40 years in the area
More than 13,000 earthquakes hit NE of Siglufjörður in the largest seismic swarm in 40 years in the area. Earthquake map via Vedur

The IMO said in its statement: “The earthquake swarm NE of Siglufjörður is still ongoing.

The earthquake swarm began on 19th of June. Over 13.000 earthquakes have been detected, three of which measured greater than magnitude 5.

The largest one was M5.8 on 21. June, around 30 km NNE of Siglufjörður. Other earthquakes above M5.0 were M5.6 and M5.4 on 20. June and were located around 20 km NE of Siglufjörður.

Seismic activity if still ongoing and there are chances of more earthquakes of this magnitude occurring in the area.

Earthquakes have been felt in the area surrounding the swarm. Some of the larger quakes have been felt as far as Reykjavíc, 125 miles away.

Kristín Jónsdóttir, Earthquakes Hazards Officer for the IMO said the swarm was the largest recorded in the Tjörnes Fracture Zone in the past 40 years.

It is very difficult to say [when the swarm will end],” she said. “The behavior is episodic, we record hundreds of earthquakes in a few hours and then it becomes quiet and all of a sudden it starts again. The last swarm in 2012 was ongoing for a few weeks. Let’s hope we only have a few weeks to go.

The IMO said that between June 22 and 28, over 3,300 earthquakes were recorded in the region. Of these, 2,800 were west of the Húsavík-Flatey Islands fault.

Iceland splits in two

Iceland sits on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, a tectonic plate boundary that separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says the country is splitting along the center as the North American plate moves westwards, away from Eurasia.

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Mid-Atlantic Ridge splitting Iceland and separating the North American and Eurasian Plates. Red triangles show the locations of some of Iceland’s active volcanoes. Picture via USGS

Jónsdóttir said stress builds at the Tjörnes Fracture zone as tectonic plates move past one another in opposite directions. This fracture zone separates the country’s northern volcanic zone and the Kolbeinsey Ridge.

She had previously told Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV that the cause of the current earthquake swarm was not known, but that they were “trying to figure out what’s going on.” She said it could relate to geothermal production in the area.

There have been no reports of damage to property or injuries in relation to the ongoing earthquake swarm. Several landslides have been recorded, but it is unclear if these were caused by the quakes.

Meanwhile, earthquake activity around Grindavík has been ongoing during the last months due to deformation in the area. The volcano is probably preparing its next eruption.

More geology news on Strange Sounds and Steve QuayleNow if you are looking for supplements to increase your healthy lifestyle please visit Natural Health Source. Thank you for your support! [Vedur]

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