The aviation colour code above Katla volcano in South Iceland has been raised to yellow following an earthquake swarm at the site this morning. Preliminary figures measured the strongest earthquake at M4.5. No volcanic unrest was detected and there are no indications a glacial flood has begun from beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
The earthquake swarm began at 9:41 AM this morning under Mýrdalsjökull. The origin of the earthquakes is the northeast section of the Katla caldera and the earthquakes were felt in Þórsmörk. Although there are no indications that an eruption or glacial flood is imminent, it is not advisable to be at the base of the Katla glacier due to possible gas emissions and floodwater from Múlakvísl river.
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A similar earthquake swarm occurred in Katla caldera in August 2016. No flood occurred in connection with that swarm. The last big glacial flood in Múlakvísl occurred in July 2011. Katla’s last eruption (that broke through the ice that covers it) was over 100 years ago, in 1918. Its eruption frequency during the last 1,100 years is, however, one eruption per 50 years.
