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Eyjafjallajökull

Seismicity by period · derived statistics from Skjálftalísa (Icelandic Met Office)
Status (automatic)
No particular signs of unrest in the last 24 hours — 0 earthquakes recorded, within the system's normal range.
🕰️ Last eruption / event — 16 years ago
The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption (2010-05-22). Largest aviation closure in Europe since WWII — 100,000 flights cancelled in 6 days. Eyjafjallajökull erupts rarely (previously 1821–23) — next eruption uncertain.
Central volcano beneath the namesake glacier. The 2010 eruption produced an ash cloud that disrupted air travel across Europe. Erupts rarely (previously 1821–23). (overview — more at vedur.is) · circle on the map = rough outline of the system (radius).
Subglacial system: a subglacial eruption can cause a jökulhlaup (sudden glacial meltwater flood) with little warning, and volcanic gases (incl. SO₂, CO₂) can be dangerous near vents and may pool in hollows. These are standing features of the system, not a sign of an imminent eruption.
📜 Did you know?
Historical pattern: Eyjafjallajökull eruptions have almost always been followed by Katla within 1-2 years (1612→1625, 1821→1823). After 2010, however, Katla has been quiet for 16 years — unusual. The 2010 eruption halted 107,000 flights over Europe across 8 days (the largest aviation closure in Europe since WWII).
Historical eruptions in the system — points colored by size, blue circle shows where we are now in time.
16501700175018001850190019502000161218212010nowsmallmediumlarge
❓ What if Eyjafjallajökull erupts again?
Timeline: The 2010 eruption took ~3 months of buildup (GPS uplift + seismicity). Current monitoring should give days-to-weeks warning. Ash: 2010 produced very fine-grained ash that stayed high in the atmosphere. 100,000 flights cancelled over 6 days across Europe — largest aviation closure since WWII. Jökulhlaup: Markarfljót onto its floodplain. Peak ~5,000-15,000 m³/s. Ring Road and Markarfljót bridge at risk. Settlements: None directly at risk (none within 10 km), but Hvolsvöllur and Vík may lose air quality. Eyjafjallajökull erupts rarely — last 1821-23, prior 1612. Next eruption uncertain but likely not in coming decades. Sources: 2010 eruption, Gudmundsson et al. 2010 (JGR).
This is not a forecast. Based on historical experience and official hazard assessments from the Met Office / Civil Protection.
Points = earthquake locations in the selected window, coloured by magnitude: M3+ · M2+ · smaller (a sample if more than 800).
Earthquakes
0
Largest
M3,0+
0
Depth range
Earthquakes over time
119:4500:3305:2110:0914:5719:45
Cumulative count · 0 earthquakes · count moment
0 earthquakes in this window19:4500:3305:2110:0914:5719:45
Depth (0 km at top).

Not enough depth data.

Magnitude distribution
0<101–202–303–40≥4
Earthquakes
5
Largest
M2.5
M3,0+
0
Depth range
5–13 km
Earthquakes over time
224.0725.0725.0726.0726.0726.07
Cumulative count · 5 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M2.5 · count moment
n=50M2.5024.0725.0725.0726.0726.0726.07
Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.
0km6km13km24.0725.0725.0726.0726.0726.07
Magnitude distribution
3<111–212–303–40≥4
Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.
0km6km13km19.66°W19.60°W19.53°W19.46°W19.40°WE-W
0km6km13km63.60°N63.62°N63.65°N63.67°N63.69°NN-S
Earthquakes
9
Largest
M2.5
M3,0+
0
Depth range
0–13 km
Earthquakes over time
219.0721.0722.0724.0725.0726.07
Cumulative count · 9 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M2.5 · count moment
n=90M2.5019.0721.0722.0724.0725.0726.07
Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.
0km6km13km19.0721.0722.0724.0725.0726.07
Magnitude distribution
7<111–212–303–40≥4
Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.
0km6km13km19.66°W19.60°W19.53°W19.46°W19.40°WE-W
0km6km13km63.58°N63.61°N63.64°N63.66°N63.69°NN-S
Earthquakes
38
Largest
M2.5
M3,0+
0
Depth range
0–13 km
Earthquakes over time
526.0602.0708.0714.0720.0726.07
Cumulative count · 38 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M2.6 · count moment
n=380M2.6026.0602.0708.0714.0720.0726.07
Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.
0km6km13km26.0602.0708.0714.0720.0726.07
Magnitude distribution
28<181–222–303–40≥4
Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.
0km6km13km19.66°W19.60°W19.53°W19.46°W19.40°WE-W
0km6km13km63.56°N63.59°N63.63°N63.66°N63.70°NN-S
Earthquakes
154
Largest
M3.0
M3,0+
2
Depth range
0–16 km
Earthquakes over time
1826.0707.1019.1202.0314.0526.07
Cumulative count · 154 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M3.3 · count moment
n=1540M3.3026.0707.1019.1202.0314.0526.07
Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.
0km8km16km26.0707.1019.1202.0314.0526.07
Magnitude distribution
105<1351–272–323–40≥4
Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.
0km8km16km19.75°W19.66°W19.57°W19.48°W19.38°WE-W
0km8km16km63.55°N63.59°N63.63°N63.67°N63.71°NN-S
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
282
Largest
M3.0
M3,0+
3
Depth range
0–25 km
Earthquakes over time
2726.0719.1214.0507.1002.0326.07
Cumulative count · 282 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M3.4 · count moment
n=2820M3.4026.0719.1214.0507.1002.0326.07
Depth (0 km at top). Grey: fixed depth.
0km12km25km26.0719.1214.0507.1002.0326.07
Magnitude distribution
161<1641–2122–333–40≥4
Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.
0km12km25km19.80°W19.70°W19.59°W19.49°W19.38°WE-W
0km12km25km63.55°N63.59°N63.63°N63.67°N63.71°NN-S
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.

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 →

Uplift — GNSS deformation

STE2 — land subsiding ~26 mm/yr (seasonally adjusted)
-42mm+0mm+20mm26.0720.0915.1110.0107.0302.05
REYK (Reykjavík) — reference ~-2 mm/yr
-21mm+0mm+31mm26.0701.1007.1213.0221.0427.06

Up = land rising (possible magma accumulation), down = subsidence. From Nevada Geodetic Lab (third-party processing, ~3-week lag, latest 2026-05-02). Interpreted deformation: Icelandic Met Office.

🌊 Volcanic tremor — Baseline tremor is currently normal with fluctuations explained by moderate wind and ocea…
Tremor (RSAM)
IMO tremor plot (station esk). Most of the signal is weather and surf — not eruption confirmation. All stations: vedur.is ↗.
Weather now: waves 1.4 m — moderate.
Baseline tremor is currently normal with fluctuations explained by moderate wind and ocean wave activity. (AI)
Band analysis past 9 days (from digitized RSAM values). High 2-4 Hz + low 0.5-1 Hz = possible magma-movement signal; high 0.5-1 Hz without 2-4 Hz = weather/surf.
0,5-1 Hz2739-7761 (~3152)1-2 Hz2500-7478 (~2804)2-4 Hz1848-7196 (~2130)16.0718.0720.0721.0723.0725.0726.07dark = low · orange = medium · red = high (per-band relative)

Earthquakes in the system

Time (UTC)MagDepth (km)Area
2026-07-25 15:19M0.38.8Other areas
2026-07-25 07:11M1.35.3Other areas
2026-07-25 03:07M0.05.2Mýrdalsjökull (Katla)
2026-07-24 23:05M0.712.8Other areas
2026-07-24 23:02M2.55.2Other areas
2026-07-24 14:03M0.71.1Other areas
2026-07-24 13:31M0.80.1Other areas
2026-07-24 13:00M-0.15.2Other areas
2026-07-23 08:18M0.35.2Other areas
2026-07-19 16:24M1.011.5Other areas
2026-07-19 16:18M1.05.6Other areas
2026-07-19 15:14M2.15.2Other areas
2026-07-19 15:14M1.911.9Other areas
2026-07-18 07:13M0.40.7Other areas
2026-07-18 06:16M0.75.2Other areas
2026-07-17 22:14M1.27.4Other areas
2026-07-17 19:22M0.84.6Other areas
2026-07-16 23:26M-0.51.1Other areas
2026-07-16 17:47M-0.75.2Other areas
2026-07-14 12:52M0.24.0Other areas
2026-07-12 22:51M0.97.7Other areas
2026-07-12 03:38M0.25.2Other areas
2026-07-11 03:42M0.55.1Other areas
2026-07-10 08:49M1.211.5Other areas
2026-07-09 21:09M-0.35.2Other areas
2026-07-09 18:12M-1.75.2Other areas
2026-07-09 10:44M0.74.8Other areas
2026-07-09 08:14M1.92.4Other areas
2026-07-09 02:43M0.15.2Other areas
2026-07-09 02:31M0.85.6Other areas
2026-07-07 23:30M0.28.2Other areas
2026-06-30 13:54M0.28.2Other areas
2026-06-30 12:14M-1.15.2Other areas
2026-06-30 11:28M0.96.0Other areas
2026-06-29 13:06M0.95.4Other areas
2026-06-28 18:54M0.65.4Other areas
2026-06-27 00:16M0.44.8Other areas
2026-06-26 23:29M1.76.2Other areas
2026-06-26 11:39M-0.212.2Other areas
2026-06-25 18:22M1.11.1Other areas
2026-06-25 01:27M-0.19.3Other areas
2026-06-23 04:51M2.20.3Other areas
2026-06-22 12:37M0.35.2Other areas
2026-06-22 07:04M0.51.1Other areas
2026-06-21 14:58M1.69.4Other areas
2026-06-21 14:42M0.85.5Other areas
2026-06-21 10:51M0.05.2Other areas
2026-06-20 23:51M0.75.4Other areas
2026-06-20 06:05M-0.25.5Other areas
2026-06-20 04:05M0.72.1Other areas
2026-06-19 21:27M0.13.6Other areas
2026-06-19 21:12M0.75.4Other areas
2026-06-19 16:56M0.88.4Mýrdalsjökull (Katla)
2026-06-15 23:20M0.74.5Other areas
2026-06-14 23:50M0.76.1Other areas
2026-06-14 23:50M0.76.1Other areas
2026-06-14 23:22M0.61.9Other areas
2026-06-14 23:22M0.41.1Other areas
2026-06-14 23:22M0.61.1Other areas
2026-06-14 19:39M1.17.7Other areas

System journal

Automatic snapshots and media coverage, in chronological order. Subscribe: RSS · ntfy skjalftar-eyjafjallajokull
2026-07-20 00:00:06 UTC
Over the last 24 hours, seismic activity in Eyjafjallajökull, a central volcano under the glacier of the same name, has been increasing and is currently measured somewhat higher than usual for this area. A total of 4 earthquakes were detected in the last 24 hours, which is well above the weekly rate, with the activity characterized by scattered background activity rather than swarms as 83% of events over the last 7 days were independent. The largest earthquake in the last 48 hours was magnitude M2.1 and the cumulative magnitude for that period was Mw 2.2, while no ground deformation is detected as GNSS data show land subsidence of approximately 25 mm per year. This activity most closely resembles the period around April 12, 2025, but it should be noted that these results are automatic preliminary findings where depth is unreliable. Maps and further details on this development are available below.
2026-07-19 20:05:03 UTC
Over the last 24 hours, 4 earthquakes have been detected under Eyjafjallajökull, a central volcano under the glacier of the same name, indicating that activity is increasing and is somewhat higher than usual for this area. This increase manifests as diffuse background activity rather than swarms, with 83% of events over the last 7 days being independent background events, and the activity most closely resembles the period around April 12, 2025 as a historical analogue. The largest earthquake in the last 48 hours was magnitude M2.1 and the cumulative seismic moment for that period was Mw 2.2, while GNSS measurements show land subsiding by approximately 25 mm per year. It should be noted that the earthquake results are automatic preliminary results with unreliable depths, but further data and maps can be found lower on this page.
Repeated × 2 since 2026-07-18 06:25:05 — last 2026-07-18 19:25:04
Over the last 24 hours, 3 earthquakes were detected in Eyjafjallajökull, a central volcano under the glacier of the same name, indicating increasing activity and slightly more than usual for this area where the average rate is 0.3 earthquakes per day. This activity, which consists mostly of scattered background activity (83% independent events) rather than swarms, most closely resembles the period around July 8, 2025, when 10 earthquakes were detected. The largest earthquake in the last 48 hours was magnitude M1.2 and the cumulative moment magnitude in the area was Mw 1.3, while GNSS measurements show land subsiding by approximately 24 mm per year. Please note that these results are automatic preliminary results with unreliable depths, but further data and maps can be found lower on this page.
2026-06-20 04:15:04 UTC
In the last 24 hours, four earthquakes were recorded in the Eyjafjallajökull system, a central volcano under the glacier of the same name, with activity increasing above the usual background level for this area. The increase is mostly due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background seismicity, as frequency now exceeds the average of 0.3 earthquakes per day. The cumulative magnitude of the largest events in the past 48 hours was Mw 1.1, and GNSS data at STE2 indicates subsidence of approximately 12 mm/year. These automatic preliminary results resemble the period around July 8, 2025, and further details are available below.
Repeated × 2 since 2026-06-15 23:25:03 — last 2026-06-19 21:35:04
In the last 24 hours, three earthquakes were recorded at Eyjafjallajökull, a central volcano under the glacier of the same name, with activity increasing but remaining normal for this area. The increase is mostly due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background activity and most closely resembles the period around July 8, 2025. The cumulative magnitude over the last 48 hours was Mw 1.0, and these are automatic preliminary results. Further details on trends and maps are available below.
2026-06-15 19:40:05 UTC
In the last 24 hours, five earthquakes were recorded in the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic system, a central volcano beneath the glacier of the same name, with activity increasing above the usual background level for this area. The increase is mainly due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background seismicity, as the β-value is 4.2 and earthquake frequency is well above average. The largest event was M1.1 and the cumulative moment over the past 48 hours is Mw 1.3; these are automatic preliminary results. Activity most closely resembles the period around July 8, 2025, and further details are available below.
2026-06-15 15:10:05 UTC
In the last 24 hours, six earthquakes were recorded at Eyjafjallajökull, indicating higher than usual activity for this area with the increase consisting mostly of short-lived swarms. The largest event was M1.1 and the cumulative magnitude over the past 48 hours is Mw 1.3, with current activity most similar to the period around July 8, 2025. These figures are automatic preliminary results, and further details on trends are available below.
2026-06-15 12:45:05 UTC
In the last 24 hours, five earthquakes were recorded in the Eyjafjallajökull system, a central volcano beneath the glacier of the same name, where activity is increasing but remains normal for this area. The increase is mostly due to short-lived swarms rather than distributed background activity, although the frequency is now well above the weekly average. The largest earthquake in the past 48 hours was M1.1 and the cumulative magnitude for the period is Mw 1.3. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble an activity period around July 8, 2025, and further data are available below.
2026-06-12 10:10:08 UTC
In the last 24 hours, three earthquakes were recorded in the Eyjafjallajökull system, a central volcano under the glacier of the same name, with activity similar to the past week but higher than usual for this area. The increase consists mainly of distributed background activity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2025. The cumulative magnitude of the largest events in the last 48 hours was Mw 1.3, with a b-value of 2.7. Results are automatic preliminary results, and further data can be found below on the page.
2026-06-08 21:40:04 UTC
In the last 24 hours, five earthquakes were recorded in the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic system, a central volcano beneath the glacier of the same name, with activity now increasing and above normal for this area. This reflects distributed background activity rather than swarms, with the largest event at Mw 2.2 and a β-value of 4.2. The activity most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2025, though results are automatic preliminary findings. Further details on trends and maps are available below.
Repeated × 2 since 2026-06-08 13:20:04 — last 2026-06-08 19:20:04
In the last 24 hours, seven earthquakes were recorded in the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic system, a central volcano beneath the glacier of the same name, with activity now increasing and above normal levels for this area. The increase is primarily due to distributed background activity rather than swarms, with the largest event at magnitude M2.2 and a cumulative moment of Mw 2.2 over the past 48 hours. Activity most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2025, though these figures are automatic preliminary results. Further details on trends and ground deformation are available below.
2026-06-08 10:45:04 UTC
In the last 24 hours, nine earthquakes were recorded at Eyjafjallajökull, a central volcano beneath the glacier of the same name, with activity increasing at a frequency considerably higher than usual for this area. The increase is characterized by distributed background activity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2025, though these are automatic preliminary results. The largest earthquake was M2.2 and the cumulative magnitude over 48 hours was Mw 2.2. Further charts and maps are available below.
2026-06-08 07:50:04 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 11 earthquakes were recorded in the Eyjafjallajökull system, a central volcano under the glacier of the same name, indicating activity significantly above the area's usual background level. The increase consists primarily of distributed background activity rather than swarms, with the largest event at Mw 2.2 and a β-value of 7.1. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around April 8, 2025, in terms of event count. Further charts and maps are available below.
2026-06-08 05:35:04 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 12 earthquakes were recorded at Eyjafjallajökull, a central volcano under a glacier, indicating activity significantly above the usual level for this area. This increase is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2025. The largest event was M2.2, and these are automatic preliminary results. Further details on trends and maps are available below.
2026-06-07 22:30:05 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 11 earthquakes were recorded at Eyjafjallajökull, representing unusually high activity for this area and an increase from previous periods. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2025. The largest earthquake was M1.2 with a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.6 over the past 48 hours; results are automatic preliminary data. Further details on trends and maps are available below.
2026-06-07 20:30:05 UTC
In the last 24 hours, nine earthquakes were recorded at Eyjafjallajökull, a central volcano beneath the glacier of the same name, with activity now increasing and above normal for this area. The increase is primarily due to distributed background seismicity rather than swarms, with the largest event at M1.2 and a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.6 over the past 48 hours. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around April 8, 2025, and further data on trends and crustal deformation are available below.
2026-06-07 10:55:04 UTC
In the last 24 hours, five earthquakes were recorded in the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic system, a central volcano beneath the glacier of the same name, with activity increasing above the usual background level for this area. The increase is primarily due to distributed background activity rather than swarms, with the largest event at M1.2 and a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.4 over the past 48 hours. These automatic preliminary results most closely resemble the period around July 7, 2025, in terms of event count. 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).