Eldey / Reykjanestá

Seismicity by period · derived statistics from Skjálftalísa (Icelandic Met Office)

Status (automatic)

No particular signs of unrest in the last 24 hours — 8 earthquakes recorded, within the system's normal range.

🕰️ Last eruption / event — ~101 years ago

Submarine eruption near Eldey (~1926) (1926-01-01). The system extends offshore southwest of Reykjanestá, with characteristic explosive submarine basaltic eruptions. About six small eruptions have occurred over roughly 1,100 years, the most recent around 1926, with others at Eldeyjarboði in 1830 and near Geirfuglasker in 1879.

Submarine section of the Reykjanes volcanic belt, extending ~10 km SW from Reykjanestá along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Eldey skerry (a tuya) sits on the fissure system. Frequent earthquake swarms in 2022–2023 (>480 quakes in one swarm). Historical submarine eruptions (last 1879). (overview — more at vedur.is) · circle on the map = rough outline of the system (radius).

📜 Did you know?

Eldey is a rocky island about 14 km southwest of Reykjanestá and hosts one of the world's largest northern-gannet colonies (around 16,000 pairs). It was here that the last known great auks were killed on 3 June 1844. The system extends offshore with explosive submarine basaltic eruptions; the island of Nýey formed in one such eruption in 1783 but soon vanished back into the sea.

❓ What if Eldey stirs (submarine eruption)?

Likely scenario: Dense earthquake swarms (M2-4) along the fissure system, as in 2022-2023. Larger events (M5+) possible. Submarine eruption: Likely visible only as steam plumes or boiling at the surface — no lava risk on land (system is 10+ km offshore). Island formation possible if eruption lasts (cf. Eldey 1783-84). Marine impact: Local temperature change in the sea; no tsunami risk unless a massive earthquake (M7+) occurs concurrently. Aviation: Keflavík airport not at risk unless an ash cloud exceeds 5 km altitude (unlikely on deep seafloor). Sources: Reykjaneshryggur 1783 (Eldey island formation), 2022-2023 swarm.

This is not a forecast. Based on historical experience and official hazard assessments from the Met Office / Civil Protection.

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Points = earthquake locations in the selected window, coloured by magnitude: M3+ · M2+ · smaller (a sample if more than 800).

Earthquakes

Largest

M2.1

M3,0+

Depth range

0–12 km

Earthquakes over time

Cumulative count · 8 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M2.2 · count moment

Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.

Magnitude distribution

Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.

Earthquakes

Largest

M2.1

M3,0+

Depth range

0–19 km

Earthquakes over time

Cumulative count · 15 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M2.3 · count moment

Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.

Magnitude distribution

Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.

Earthquakes

Largest

M2.2

M3,0+

Depth range

0–19 km

Earthquakes over time

Cumulative count · 29 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M2.6 · count moment

Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.

Magnitude distribution

Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.

Earthquakes

155

Largest

M3.1

M3,0+

Depth range

0–20 km

Earthquakes over time

Cumulative count · 155 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M3.2 · count moment

Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.

Magnitude distribution

Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.

Earthquakes

2534

Largest

M3.4

M3,0+

Depth range

0–26 km

Earthquakes over time

Cumulative count · 2534 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M4.1 · count moment

Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.

Magnitude distribution

Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.

Gutenberg-Richter b ≈ 1.30 ± 0.05 (i.e. likely 1.25–1.35, M≥1.7, n=530)

Note: before February 2026 about half of events lacked an automatic magnitude, so magnitude-dependent figures (b-value, count of M≥X) under-count earlier periods — the catalogue is not homogeneous across this window. Cumulative moment is barely affected.

Earthquakes

5001

Largest

M4.5

M3,0+

Depth range

0–26 km

Earthquakes over time

Cumulative count · 5001 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M4.9 · count moment

Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.

Magnitude distribution

Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.

Gutenberg-Richter b ≈ 1.00 ± 0.03 (i.e. likely 0.97–1.03, M≥1.7, n=1129)

Depth is automatic and uncertain; earthquakes alone do not show magma movement — deformation (GPS) and gas are needed. Grey points: automatic fixed-depth values. b-value computed for M≥1.5 (automatic magnitudes make lower completeness unreliable). Preliminary data.

Glossary & magnitude scale →

Earthquakes in the system

Time (UTC)	Mag	Depth (km)	Area
2026-07-26 16:20	M0.8	11.6	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-26 16:20	M1.0	9.7	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-26 16:07	M2.1	9.6	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-26 15:26	M0.6	0.0	Other areas
2026-07-26 15:26	M0.7	9.7	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-26 08:20	M1.9	8.6	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-26 05:27	M0.6	0.0	Other areas
2026-07-25 23:53	M0.7	7.4	Other areas
2026-07-25 06:30	M1.4	18.9	Other areas
2026-07-25 06:26	M1.1	9.6	Other areas
2026-07-25 06:25	M0.1	4.4	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-25 06:15	M0.5	10.5	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-25 05:59	M0.5	9.8	Other areas
2026-07-25 05:49	M1.6	4.9	Other areas
2026-07-25 05:43	M0.6	1.1	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-24 19:25	M0.3	7.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-24 18:37	M2.2	6.8	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-24 11:30	M0.4	10.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-24 07:56	M1.3	10.0	Other areas
2026-07-24 07:12	M1.6	11.2	Other areas
2026-07-24 00:07	M2.1	5.3	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-21 21:28	M0.6	9.6	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-20 14:35	M1.8	11.1	Other areas
2026-07-20 03:09	M1.2	10.0	Other areas
2026-07-20 02:48	M1.4	11.1	Other areas
2026-07-20 02:11	M1.2	0.1	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-20 02:11	M1.3	10.2	Other areas
2026-07-20 01:56	M1.1	0.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-20 01:56	M1.1	10.0	Other areas
2026-07-19 12:06	M1.3	10.7	Other areas
2026-07-19 12:06	M1.8	10.7	Other areas
2026-07-19 09:58	M1.1	2.5	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-19 08:24	M0.7	10.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-19 07:12	M1.4	8.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-19 05:22	M0.4	10.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-19 04:49	M1.6	10.5	Other areas
2026-07-19 03:40	M0.3	10.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-19 00:02	M1.5	6.9	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-18 18:20	M1.3	6.4	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-18 13:52	M0.4	5.4	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-17 05:35	M0.7	0.0	Other areas
2026-07-17 02:44	M1.1	10.0	Other areas
2026-07-17 02:41	M1.6	7.6	Other areas
2026-07-17 02:41	M0.9	10.0	Other areas
2026-07-16 23:12	M0.5	10.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 19:42	M0.3	2.1	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 19:26	M0.2	1.1	Other areas
2026-07-16 19:21	M0.5	0.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 16:57	M1.4	11.0	Other areas
2026-07-16 16:48	M0.8	10.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 15:07	M0.9	8.4	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 11:06	M1.8	0.0	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 11:06	M2.0	8.1	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 11:06	M2.0	8.3	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 05:57	M1.4	6.7	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 02:36	M1.4	9.7	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 01:09	M-0.4	5.1	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 01:08	M0.7	4.6	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-16 00:30	M1.0	5.7	Reykjanesskagi
2026-07-14 17:19	M1.6	5.2	Reykjanesskagi

System journal

Automatic snapshots and media coverage, in chronological order. Subscribe: RSS · ntfy skjalftar-eldey-reykjanesta

2026-06-17 22:15:04 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 26 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, representing an increase compared to the weekly average and higher activity than usual for this area. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than swarms and resembles the period around June 6, 2025, though these are automatic preliminary results. The largest earthquake in the last 48 hours was M1.7 with a cumulative magnitude of Mw 2.3. Further details on trends and maps are available below.

2026-06-17 19:30:06 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 24 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, representing an increase compared to the weekly average but activity remains within normal levels for this area. The seismicity consists mainly of distributed background activity rather than distinct swarms and most closely resembles the period around June 6, 2025. The largest earthquake in the past 48 hours was M2.4 with a cumulative moment of Mw 2.7, while the b-value is 1.34 +/- 0.12. Results are automatic preliminary results and further data can be found lower on the page.

2026-06-15 22:15:04 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 23 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week and within normal levels for this area. Seismicity is characterized by distributed background activity rather than distinct swarms and most closely resembles the period around June 1, 2025. The largest earthquake was M2.3 with a cumulative moment of Mw 2.5 over the last 48 hours, while the b-value is 1.33 +/- 0.12. Results are automatic preliminary results, and further data can be found below on the page.

Repeated × 2 since 2026-06-11 04:25:04 — last 2026-06-11 06:40:07

In the last 24 hours, 22 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week but higher than usual for this area. The seismicity is characterized by distributed background activity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around June 1, 2025. The largest earthquake was M2.4 with a cumulative moment of Mw 2.8 over the last 48 hours, and the b-value is 1.40 +/- 0.12. These figures are automatic preliminary results, and further data can be found below.

2026-06-11 02:20:05 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 48 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, representing an increase above the weekly average and higher activity than usual for this area. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than swarms and resembles the period around June 1, 2025, though these are automatic preliminary results. The cumulative magnitude over the past 48 hours was Mw 2.8 and the b-value was measured at 1.40. Further details on trends and maps are available below.

2026-06-10 01:20:04 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 62 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, representing an increase above the weekly average and higher activity than usual for this area. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than distinct swarms and most closely resembles the period around January 5, 2025. The largest earthquake was M2.4 with a cumulative magnitude of Mw 2.7 over the past 48 hours, while the b-value is 1.40 +/- 0.12. These figures are automatic preliminary results, and further data can be found below.

2026-06-09 22:45:04 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 52 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, representing an increase above the weekly average and higher activity than usual for this area. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than distinct swarms and most closely resembles the period around November 18, 2025. The cumulative magnitude of the largest events in the past 48 hours was Mw 2.5, with a measured b-value of 1.40. These figures are automatic preliminary results, and further data can be found lower on the page.

2026-06-09 19:15:05 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 21 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, representing an increase from the weekly average but activity remains normal for this area. Seismicity is characterized by distributed background activity rather than distinct swarms and most closely resembles the period around September 18, 2025. The cumulative magnitude of the largest events in the past 48 hours was Mw 2.3 and the b-value was measured at 1.39. These figures are automatic preliminary results and further data can be found below on the page.

2026-06-04 10:15:12 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 12 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week and within normal levels for this area. The recent increase consists mostly of short-lived swarms rather than distributed background activity, with the largest earthquake in the last 48 hours measuring M3.1 and a cumulative moment magnitude of Mw 3.1. This activity most closely resembles the period around March 26, 2026, though these are automatic preliminary results with unreliable depth estimates. Further details on trends and maps are available below.

2026-06-04 07:00:16 UTC

In the last 24 hours, seven earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week and within normal levels for this area. The recent increase is primarily due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background seismicity, with the largest event measuring Mw 3.1. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around March 28, 2026, in terms of event count. Further details on trends and measurements are available below.

2026-06-04 04:25:09 UTC

In the last 24 hours, eight earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week and within normal levels for this area. The increase consists mostly of short-lived swarms rather than distributed background activity, with the largest earthquake in the last 48 hours being magnitude M3.1 with a cumulative moment of Mw 3.1. Activity most closely resembles the period around March 28, 2026, though these are automatic preliminary results and depth is unreliable. Further charts and maps are available below.

2026-06-04 00:15:14 UTC

In the last 24 hours, seven earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week and within normal levels for this area. The recent increase is primarily due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background seismicity, with the largest event measuring M3.1. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around March 28, 2026, in terms of event count. Further details on trends and measurements are available below.

2026-06-03 21:35:10 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 10 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week and within normal levels for this area. The recent increase is primarily due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background seismicity, with the largest event being M3.1 and a cumulative magnitude of Mw 3.2. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around March 28, 2026, and further details on trends are available below.

2026-06-03 18:55:10 UTC

In the last 24 hours, five earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week and within normal levels for this area. The recent increase is primarily due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background seismicity, with the largest event measuring M3.1 and a cumulative moment of Mw 3.2. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around December 4, 2025, and further details on trends are available below.

2026-06-03 16:25:11 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 14 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week and within normal levels for this area. The increase consists mostly of short-lived swarms rather than distributed background seismicity, with the largest earthquake in the last 48 hours measuring M3.1 and a cumulative moment of Mw 3.2. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around December 4, 2025, and further details on trends are available below.

Repeated × 2 since 2026-06-02 13:30:19 — last 2026-06-03 13:30:16

In the last 24 hours, 19 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, representing an increase compared to the weekly average but still considered normal activity for this area. The increase is primarily due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background seismicity, with the largest event being M3.1 and a cumulative magnitude of Mw 3.2. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around December 4, 2025, and further data on trends and land uplift can be found lower on the page.

2026-06-01 07:47:05 UTC

In the last 24 hours, 11 earthquakes were recorded in the Eldey-Reykjanestá system, indicating activity similar to the past week but slightly higher than usual for this area. The increase consists mostly of short-lived swarms according to automatic preliminary results, with the largest earthquake in the last 48 hours being M1.8 and a cumulative magnitude of Mw 2.1. Activity most closely resembles the period around June 6, 2025, though results are automatic preliminary data and depth is unreliable. Further charts and maps are available below.

What do the numbers mean — and what should I do?

β (swarm signal): how high activity is versus the area's 2-year average. β above 2 means an ongoing swarm. It measures activity, not a forecast of a large quake.

Cumulative moment (Mw): the combined energy of the quakes in the period. Uplift (GNSS): whether the ground is rising or sinking, mm per year — the data are a few weeks old. Some systems (e.g. Svartsengi) deform in steps during eruption cycles rather than at a steady annual rate.

Swarm character is computed for a whole volcanic belt, not a single system — it describes the belt, not necessarily this one system.

What should I do? This is automatic monitoring for information — not an official warning. Follow official information from the Icelandic Met Office and Civil Protection (112).