Torfajökull
Seismicity by period · derived statistics from Skjálftalísa (Icelandic Met Office)
Status (automatic)
No particular signs of unrest in the last 24 hours — 1 earthquake recorded, within the system's normal range.Depth — 3D and cross-section Torfajökull · last 90 days
Each dot is an earthquake, depth as the third dimension — Torfajökull, last 90 days. Drag the 3D view to rotate; point at a dot for details.
3D (rotatable) · depth ×2.5
Cross-section — distance along profile (km) vs depth (km)
Map (top view)
<24 klst2–7 dolderunconstrained depthsize ∝ magnitude (M)
⚠ Preliminary depths, unreliable (automatic Met Office solutions; depth often poorly constrained). events with unconstrained (default) depth shown as open rings — not real structure. For illustration, not analysis.
🕰️ Last eruption / event — ~549 years ago
The 1477 Veiðivötn eruption (~1477). In 1477 a basaltic fissure from Bárðarbunga–Veiðivötn cut into the southwestern part of Torfajökull and simultaneously triggered a silicic (rhyolitic) eruption from Torfajökull itself — an example of the two systems' bimodal eruptions.
Iceland's largest rhyolitic volcano with an extensive geothermal area (Landmannalaugar). Last erupted in 1477. (overview — more at vedur.is) · circle on the map = rough outline of the system (radius).
📜 Did you know?
Torfajökull is Iceland's largest rhyolite volcano, with about 450 km² of silicic extrusive rock at the surface — the largest extent of such rocks in the country — and it also hosts Iceland's most extensive high-temperature geothermal area, around 150 km², where temperatures exceed 340°C. A hallmark of the system is its position where the rift zone meets the South Iceland Seismic Zone, and it has repeatedly erupted at the same time as the neighbouring Bárðarbunga–Veiðivötn system — including in its most recent eruption in 1477, when a basaltic fissure cut into Torfajökull and triggered a silicic tephra-and-lava eruption. The system's largest known eruption, the Þórsmörk ignimbrite about 55,400 years ago, expelled roughly 25 km³ of rhyolite and dispersed ash across the North Atlantic and into the Greenland ice sheet.
Historical eruptions in the system — points colored by size, blue circle shows where we are now in time.
Points = earthquake locations in the selected window, coloured by magnitude: ● M3+ · ● M2+ · ● smaller (a sample if more than 800).
Earthquakes
1
Largest
M0.4
M3,0+
0
Depth range
0–0 km
Earthquakes over time
Cumulative count · 1 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M0.4 · count moment
Depth (0 km at top).
Not enough depth data.
Magnitude distribution
Earthquakes
3
Largest
M0.8
M3,0+
0
Depth range
0–5 km
Earthquakes over time
Cumulative count · 3 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M0.8 · 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
15
Largest
M2.4
M3,0+
0
Depth range
0–8 km
Earthquakes over time
Cumulative count · 15 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M2.4 · 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
82
Largest
M2.4
M3,0+
0
Depth range
0–20 km
Earthquakes over time
Cumulative count · 82 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M2.5 · 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
419
Largest
M3.3
M3,0+
2
Depth range
0–20 km
Earthquakes over time
Cumulative count · 419 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M3.5 · count moment
Depth (0 km at top) — shallowing in the data (2.7→1.3 km). Grey: fixed depth.
Magnitude distribution
Depth cross-sections — color by age (orange=newest, grey=older), point size by M. Rising cluster = possible magma intrusion.
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
710
Largest
M3.3
M3,0+
2
Depth range
0–20 km
Earthquakes over time
Cumulative count · 710 earthquakes · total moment ≈ M3.5 · 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.
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.
Earthquakes in the system
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Depth | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-10 07:19 | M0.4 | 0.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-09 00:37 | M0.8 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-08 12:02 | M-0.8 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-08 06:48 | M1.0 | 1.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-08 06:48 | M2.4 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-07 21:46 | M-0.2 | 1.9 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-07 18:46 | M0.4 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-07 01:57 | M1.7 | 2.4 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-06 10:39 | M0.9 | 0.7 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-06 10:39 | M0.2 | 7.6 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-06 03:10 | M-0.8 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-04 23:57 | M0.6 | 5.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-04 23:57 | M0.4 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-04 01:25 | M1.7 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-03 09:55 | M0.1 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-01 02:59 | M0.0 | 5.8 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-06-01 02:59 | M0.5 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 16:25 | M0.8 | 1.3 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 16:25 | M0.6 | 0.8 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 16:09 | M1.4 | 2.3 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 10:35 | M0.3 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 10:18 | M-0.5 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 10:16 | M-0.2 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 10:05 | M-0.1 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 09:45 | M0.8 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 08:23 | M1.2 | 4.7 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 08:23 | M1.3 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 08:03 | M-0.1 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 08:00 | M0.0 | 9.3 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 08:00 | M0.7 | 20.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:42 | M-0.1 | 5.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:42 | M0.7 | 2.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:29 | M1.2 | 2.7 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:28 | M-0.3 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:21 | M0.4 | 1.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:17 | M1.1 | 2.3 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:17 | M0.7 | 1.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:17 | M0.7 | 1.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:16 | M0.0 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:16 | M0.6 | 0.5 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:12 | M-0.7 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:12 | M0.5 | 4.9 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 07:12 | M0.3 | 8.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 04:02 | M-0.4 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 03:55 | M-0.5 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 03:54 | M0.6 | 0.3 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 03:50 | M0.6 | 0.4 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 03:49 | M0.9 | 5.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-30 03:49 | M1.1 | 6.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 23:19 | M-0.4 | 1.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 21:07 | M0.7 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 20:28 | M0.2 | 0.5 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 20:26 | M1.0 | 1.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 20:26 | M0.7 | 1.1 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 11:23 | M-0.2 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 09:58 | M0.5 | 0.5 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 06:04 | M0.1 | 5.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 01:46 | M0.0 | 0.5 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 01:43 | M1.5 | 1.2 | Önnur svæði |
| 2026-05-29 01:43 | M1.4 | 0.0 | Önnur svæði |
System journal
Automatic snapshots and media coverage, in chronological order. Subscribe: RSS · ntfy
skjalftar-torfajokull2026-05-31 10:47:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, three earthquakes were recorded in Torfajökull, Iceland's largest rhyolitic volcanic system, indicating that activity is currently decreasing compared to the weekly average. Despite this decline, the state remains unusual for the area with an increased b-value (β=2.4) and distributed background seismicity rather than distinct swarms. The cumulative magnitude over the past 48 hours is Mw 1.9, and these results are automatic preliminary findings. Activity most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2026, and further details are available below.2026-05-31 08:07:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 10 earthquakes were recorded in Torfajökull, indicating activity considerably higher than usual for this area and similar to the past week. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2026. The largest earthquake was M1.4 with a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.9 over the last 48 hours; results are automatic preliminary results. Further charts and maps are available below.2026-05-30 06:07:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 13 earthquakes were recorded at Torfajökull, indicating significantly higher activity than usual for this area and suggesting an increase. The activity has been distributed background seismicity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2025, though these are automatic preliminary results. The largest earthquake was M1.5 and the cumulative magnitude over the last 48 hours was Mw 1.8. Further details on trends and measurements can be found lower on the page.2026-05-30 04:07:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 14 earthquakes were recorded in Torfajökull, indicating significantly higher activity than usual for this area and an increase in seismicity. The activity is predominantly distributed background seismicity rather than a distinct swarm, with the largest event at M1.5 and a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.8 over the past 48 hours. These are automatic preliminary results, and the current activity most closely resembles the period around April 8, 2025. Further details and maps are available below.2026-05-30 01:47:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, eight earthquakes were recorded at Torfajökull, indicating significantly higher activity than usual for this area and suggesting an increase. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around December 19, 2025. These figures are automatic preliminary results for the country's largest rhyolitic volcanic system with an extensive geothermal area. Further details on trends and measurements can be found lower on the page.2026-05-29 23:07:02 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 14 earthquakes were recorded in Torfajökull, indicating significantly higher activity than usual for this area and an increase from previous days. The activity consists mainly of distributed background seismicity rather than distinct swarms, with a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.8 for the largest events in the past 48 hours. These are automatic preliminary results resembling the period around December 19, 2025, and further details on trends are available below.2026-05-29 20:47:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 12 earthquakes were recorded at Torfajökull, indicating significantly higher activity than usual for this area and suggesting an increase. The activity consists mainly of distributed background seismicity rather than swarms, with a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.8 over the past 48 hours. These are automatic preliminary results, and the current activity most closely resembles the period around December 17, 2025. Further details and maps are available below.2026-05-29 11:27:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 10 earthquakes were recorded at Torfajökull, indicating significantly higher activity than usual for this area and an increase in seismicity. The activity is predominantly distributed background seismicity rather than swarms, with the largest event at M1.5 and a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.8 over the past 48 hours. These are automatic preliminary results resembling the period around February 4, 2026, and further details are available below.2026-05-29 06:07:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, nine earthquakes were recorded at Torfajökull, indicating significantly higher activity than usual for this area and suggesting an increase. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than swarms, with the largest event at M1.5 and a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.8 over the past 48 hours. These are automatic preliminary results; the current activity most closely resembles the period around February 4, 2026, and further details are available below.2026-05-29 01:47:03 UTC
In the last 24 hours, 8 earthquakes were recorded at Torfajökull, indicating significantly higher activity than usual for this area and suggesting an increase. The activity is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than swarms and most closely resembles the period around February 6, 2026. The largest earthquake was M1.5 with a cumulative magnitude of Mw 1.8 over the past 48 hours, though these figures are automatic preliminary results. Further details on trends and crustal deformation can be found below.2026-05-28 23:27:02 UTC
In the last 24 hours, four earthquakes were recorded at Torfajökull, Iceland's largest rhyolitic volcanic system, indicating higher activity than is usual for this area. Activity is increasing compared to the weekly average and is characterized by distributed background seismicity rather than distinct swarms, with a β-value of 2.5 confirming deviation from the two-year average. These are automatic preliminary results, and the current state most closely resembles the period around July 9, 2025; further details are available below.2026-05-25 12:11:33 UTC
In the last 24 hours, increased activity was measured in Torfajökull, the largest rhyolitic volcanic system in Iceland, with a beta value of 2.2 and a historical analogue to October 13, 2025. Activity over the past 7 days was characterized mainly by distributed background seismicity (82%) rather than swarms, and results are automatic preliminary results. Source: automatic measurements (IMO). This is not an official warning - see vedur.is.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).
Data: Icelandic Met Office (Skjálftalísa API), automatic preliminary results — may change. This is not an official warning. Official warnings: vedur.is and Civil Protection (112).