The Icelandic Met Office has increased monitoring by Þorbjörn mountain on the Reykjanes peninsula. Land west of the mountain continues to rise, though gas measurements show no evidence that magma has risen near the surface. Land rise and earthquakes at the location suggest magma is accumulating under the surface, just north of the town of Grindavík.
“With increased monitoring, we are receiving more data in house which gives a clearer picture of the development by Þorbjörn mountain on the Reykjanes peninsula,” the statement from the Met Office reads. While land rise continues at a steady pace, gas and water samples from the area give no evidence that magma is near the surface.
Earthquakes can be expected to continue in the area, and the strongest of them near Grindavík. “The most likely explanation for this activity is a magma intrusion at a depth of 3-5km (1.9-3.1mi) just west of Þorbjörn. Most often such activity concludes without an eruption,” the statement closes.
According to geophysicist Páll Einarsson, if an eruption were to occur, experts would most likely be able to warn authorities hours in advance.
