Bárðarbunga earthquakes show no clear pattern

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Bárðarbunga volcano at 2:44 p.m. on Monday, followed by several aftershocks, most below magnitude 2, mbl.is reported, citing Iceland Met Office natural-hazard specialist Ingibjörg Andrea Bergþórsdóttir.

There is currently no volcanic tremor or earthquake swarm in the area, Bergþórsdóttir said, adding that conditions are calm.

Earthquakes of around magnitude 5 occur there several times a year, typically ranging from 4.8 to 5.2, she said. A magnitude 4.7 earthquake also occurred in early October.

Although such earthquakes happen fairly regularly, they do not follow a set schedule. Sometimes three or four months pass between them, but the intervals vary, Bergþórsdóttir said.