'Inflation' Detected In Icelandic Volcano Near Famous Blue Lagoon, Signals Potential Eruption

The Icelandic Met Office declared a state of uncertainty as a result of “inflation” being detected just west of Mt. Thorbjorn on Reykjanes Peninsula. According to authorities, the inflation is unusually rapid at about 3 to 4 millimeters per day and has so far accumulated to 2 centimeters. This suggests a possible accumulation of magma under the ground.

Further, this inflation has been accompanied by an earthquake swarm that has been going on since Jan. 21. Of the earthquakes, the most powerful recorded a Magnitude of 3.6 and was felt widely on the Reykjanes peninsula.

Although such earthquake swarms are not exactly unusual in the area, the fact that they occurred alongside the inflation is a cause for concern. As such, the aviation color code has been raised from green to yellow, which means that a volcano is experiencing “signs of elevated unrest above known background levels.”

Peaceful Eruption

As it happens, the inflation is not that far from Iceland’s famous “Blue Lagoon,” the geothermal spa in southwestern Iceland. However, heightened volcanic activity may not be a major cause of concern for those who are planning to visit the destination.

In fact, Rognvaldur Olafsson of the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management noted that, although they are planning for the worst, it is likely that the event will just stop. Professor of geophysics at the University of Iceland Pall Einarsson seems to agree, telling AFP that if it erupts, it would be a peaceful kind of eruption.

So far, Icelandic Met Office is looking at several possibilities depending on whether the inflation is really being caused by magma accumulation or not. If it is, it would either cease without further activity or lead to an eruption as well as further earthquakes. If it is not, then it is possible that the inflation is being caused by tectonic activity and could lead to earthquakes as large as Magnitude 6. Historically, the largest earthquakes recorded in the area are about Magnitude 5.5.

The last volcanic eruption that was recorded on Reykjanes was between 1210-1240 AD. Between that period, there were several recorded eruptions in the Svartsengi volcanic system and all of which were nonexplosive.