An earthquake measuring just below three points on the Richter scale was picked up by sensors north of Godabunga in Mýrdalsjökull glacier in south Iceland, which covers the volcano Katla, at 6:57 this morning.

Mýrdalsjökull. Photo by Geir Ólafsson.

Sigthrúdur Ármannsdóttir at the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s earthquake division told ruv.is that the quake had occurred at a depth of five kilometers in the northern side of the Mýrdalsjökull caldera.

A smaller aftershock was registered three minutes later but no further seismic activity has occurred in the glacier since.

There has been considerable activity in the area this summer and the quakes this morning are considered part of this continued unrest.

However, it is not possible to confirm whether the last tremors may lead to something bigger. Katla is under close observation and the inhabitants of Vík are prepared to evacuate in case of glacial flooding.

Click here to read more about Katla and here to read about other seismic activity.

ESA