The area around Þorbjörn is now most likely recovering after the large induced stress, and the injected magma is cooling down and contracting. Along with reduced deformation, seismic activity has decreasing significantly. The picture shows an overview of the earthquake activity in April.

Seismic activity around Mt. Þorbjörn has decreasing significantly

The area is now most likely recovering after the large induced stress

4.5.2020

A Scientific Advisory Board met on 30th of April to discuss and review the current activity in Reykjanes Peninsula. The meeting was attended by scientists from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, University of Iceland - Earth Sciences and ÍSOR, and also representatives from the Civil Protection, ISAVIA-ANS and Police Dept of the South-Iceland.

In the beginning of April the uplift in Þorbjörn decreased and, in the second part of the month, it stopped. The area around Þorbjörn is now most likely recovering after the large induced stress, and the injected magma is cooling down and contracting.  Along with reduced deformation, seismic activity has decreasing significantly. These data indicate that the injection of magma beneath Þorbjörn has stopped and this second phase of uplift due to magma intrusion can be considered closed. Even though there are no observations of ongoing uplift around Þorbjörn, there are indications of minor deformation over a larger area. The current observations and the course of events over the last several months suggest that there is an active long-term process ongoing in the area.  The possibility of renewed activity in the near future at Þorbjörn, Reykjanes or elsewhere on the Reykjanes Peninsula cannot be discarded.

It is still important to keep in mind the seismic hazard is present in the Reykjanes Peninsula and it is important to take preventive measures.

The best way to prevent damage or injuries is to properly handle furniture and other interior objects so that they do not fall off in the event of an earthquake. The effects of an earthquake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, can be felt in a large area, and the capital area is not excluded.

The Scientific Advisory Board, therefore, encourages people to check with their home and workplaces and fix unstable hanging objects. Information on earthquake prevention and response can be found on the Civil Protection website