An earthquake registering 2.6 on the Richter scale occurred in the volcano Katla below the Mýrdalsjökull icecap around 4 pm yesterday. The epicenter was at a depth of approximately three kilometers, 7.7 kilometers north of Mt. Hábunga.
Scientists are monitoring seismic activity in Katla closely these days and many automatic sensors that pick up earthquakes and other disturbances are located in the volcano’s vicinity, Morgunbladid reports.
Mýrdalsjökull. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.
Employees of the Icelandic Meteorological Office have been on watch around the clock to keep a close eye on the sensors sincea glacial flood from Mýrdalsjökull destroyed the bridge across Múlakvísl, damaging the Ring Road in south Iceland, on Friday night.
Earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon in Katla and the most recent activity is not necessarily an indication of any volcanic activity; the glacial flood was likely caused by geothermal heat rather than sub-glacial eruptions.
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