The National Police Commissioner has, after conferring with the Reykjanes Police commissioner, lifted the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management’s Uncertainty Phase due to the ongoing Reykjanes earthquakes in southwest Iceland.
The uncertainty phase was declared on May 15 this year, when the Reykjanes earthquakes had been ongoing for a few weeks. Land rise of up to 5.5cm was detected from April 28 to May 28 by mt. Þorbjörn, along with the increased seismic activity of up to 800 quakes per day. The land rise is thought to be due to the formation of a magma intrusion similar to the ones occurring in 2020, one of which led to the 2020 Reykjanes eruption. In recent days, seismic activity has decreased again. The recurring seismic activity support theories that the Reykjanes peninsula might be entering a new eruptive phase. The last such period was 800-1240, with 18 known eruptions over 440 years.
The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management will continue preparing risk assessments, counter-action plans and response programs with national and local authorities, companies, and institutions to prepare for what comes next.
If seismic activity increases again in concurrence with land rise in the area, authorities will declare an uncertainty phase again.
