2,200 earthquakes hit Iceland in 24 hours: what that means for the region | world News

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Nearly 2,200 earthquakes were recorded in the area around the Icelandic capital, Reykjavík, in the past 24 hours. The country’s meteorological office warned that this is a sign that a volcanic eruption may be imminent.

Iceland earthquakes: Lava flows from two fissures of a volcano near Fagradalsfjall on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula (AFP) What did Iceland’s meteorological agency say?

The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) said the tremors started around 4pm under Fagradalsfjall mountain. The mountain sits atop a volcanic system where two eruptions have occurred in the past two years on the Reykjanes Peninsula – the southwestern tip of Iceland.

“About 2,200 earthquakes were detected and the largest earthquakes were felt in the southwestern part of Iceland,” the agency said. She added that more seismic activity is likely.

What do we know about the earthquakes in Iceland?

Seven of the earthquakes had a magnitude of more than four – considered a mild earthquake. Seismic activity raised the aviation alert level to “orange” from “green”.

Why are earthquakes in Iceland worrying?

Iceland is the largest and most active volcanic region in Europe. North Atlantic Island lies along the mid-Atlantic mountain range separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

Has this ever happened in Iceland?

In April 2010, 100,000 flights were cancelled, leaving more than 10 million passengers stranded, following the massive eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano – the biggest disruption to air traffic in peacetime until the Covid pandemic.

Lava erupted near Mount Fagradalsfjall in 2021 and 2022 as well.

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