Earthquake strikes Bárðarbunga area of Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland

A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Bárðarbunga area of Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland at approximately 4:40 AM this morning. After the initial quake, several smaller tremors followed, but no signs of volcanic unrest have been detected. Earthquakes are common in the Bárðarbunga region.

A similar-sized quake was recorded the previous night, and since the beginning of the year, a total of sixteen earthquakes measuring 3.0 and above have been registered. The largest of these occurred on April 21, measuring 5.4.

According to the Icelandic Met Office, today’s tremors are considered small relative to the activity typically associated with Bárðarbunga. Meanwhile, there have been no changes reported in the Reykjanes Peninsula. A duty natural hazard specialist stated, “This situation is very similar to what we have observed in recent days.”

She added, “There are always earthquakes occurring, and activity has been gradually increasing.”