Short Wave Thousands of earthquakes in Iceland may spell a volcanic eruption
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Nov 15, 2023 
Diana Roman, a volcanologist at the Carnegie Institution for Science, discusses the dramatic increase of nearly 2,000 earthquakes in Iceland, signaling potential volcanic unrest. She explains how the seismic activity reflects magma moving closer to the surface. The conversation highlights the unique geological features of Iceland, where tectonic plates meet magma plumes, creating a hotspot for earthquakes and eruptions. Roman also clarifies the nature of earthquake swarms and the hazards posed by an impending eruption, especially if it occurs underwater.
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Iceland's Seismic Activity
- Iceland's southwestern peninsula is seismically active, experiencing around 20,000 earthquakes since late October.
- Recent quakes are larger than usual, reaching a magnitude of 5.0 and accompanied by significant ground deformation.
Magma Movement and Earthquakes
- Earthquakes in Iceland likely indicate magma moving through the crust, suggesting a potential volcanic eruption.
- The combination of earthquakes, ground deformation, and cracking points to magma as the cause.
Town Evacuation
- An entire town in southwestern Iceland was evacuated due to earthquake damage to main roads.
- This suggests magma is nearing the surface, increasing the likelihood of an eruption.