Second Earthquake Swarm Detected Near Eldey Island in Recent Days
2026-02-09 - 09:37
An earthquake swarm has been detected near Eldey Island on the Reykjanes Ridge, marking the second period of heightened seismic activity in the area in recent days, according to Icelandic authorities. As reported by RÚV, around 100 earthquakes have been recorded since the swarm began around noon yesterday. The largest event measured magnitude 2.8. What's the Story? About 100 earthquakes recorded near Eldey on the Reykjanes Ridge, largest measuring magnitude 2.8 Second earthquake swarm in the area in a short period, following dozens of tremors on Saturday night No reports of earthquakes being felt in populated areas, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office Kleifarvatn on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Photo: Emstrur. Wikimedia. CC. Seismic activity update A similar cluster of earthquakes was detected in the same area on Saturday night, when dozens of tremors were recorded. Earthquake swarms are relatively common on the Reykjanes Ridge and are typically linked to plate tectonic movements. The most recent comparable swarm near Eldey occurred in early December. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has confirmed that no reports have been received of earthquakes being felt in populated areas. The renewed activity comes amid ongoing attention on the Reykjanes Peninsula, where volcanic unrest has been closely monitored in recent years. Jóhanna Malen Skúladóttir, a natural hazard expert at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, said the current swarm should not be seen as a direct signal of an impending eruption. “It may not be possible to say that this is directly related, but there is certainly increased tension in general on the entire Reykjavik peninsula due to the upheavals that have occurred since 2020,” says Jóhanna. She added that magma accumulation beneath Svartsengi may be contributing to broader seismic changes in the region. “Especially the magma accumulation that has been happening in Svartsengi right now, and it may well be that this increased tension is increasing the frequency of earthquake swarms elsewhere in the area. So maybe not directly related, but indirectly,” she says.