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Reykjanes

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 63.817°N
  • 22.717°W

  • 140 m
    459 ft

  • 371020
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number
Most Recent Weekly Report: 1 June-7 June 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

On 2 June IMO reported that the rate of uplift on the Reykjanes Peninsula had significantly decreased, and seismicity had been declining, with only about 150 earthquakes recorded the previous day. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Green because the data indicated no magma movement.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)

Weekly Reports - Index


2022: May | June
2020: January | February | March | April | June | October


1 June-7 June 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

On 2 June IMO reported that the rate of uplift on the Reykjanes Peninsula had significantly decreased, and seismicity had been declining, with only about 150 earthquakes recorded the previous day. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Green because the data indicated no magma movement.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


18 May-24 May 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

IMO reported an ongoing seismic swarm and uplift on the Reykjanes Peninsula, indicative of a magma intrusion. Satellite data analysis indicated that 4-4.5 cm of uplift occurred during 27 April-21 May centered just NW of Mt. Thorbjorn. Magma was accumulating at depths of 4-5 km, and the intrusion was possibly 7-8 km long. During 22-23 May about 400 earthquakes were recorded; a M 3 earthquake was recorded at 1113 on 22 May and a M 3.5 earthquake was recorded at 0715 on 23 May, both were located about 3 km E of Mt. Thorbjorn. The Aviation Color Code for Reykjanes remained at Yellow.

Sources: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO); Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV)


11 May-17 May 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

The National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police declared a level of “uncertainty” for the Reykjanes Peninsula on 15 May, noting that the declaration meant that responders and agencies were to review their preparedness plans in response to recent increases in seismicity and deformation. IMO raised the Aviation Color Code for Reykjanes to Yellow on 16 May, stating that more than 3,000 earthquakes had been detected near Eldvörp in the Reykjanes/Svartsengi volcanic system during the past week. Nine earthquakes above M 3 and two earthquakes above M 4 were recorded during 15-16 May; the largest event was a M 4.3 which was recorded at 1738 on 15 May. The earthquakes were located at depths of 4-6 km. GPS and InSAR data detected inflation W of Thorbjörn during the previous two weeks, likely caused by a magmatic intrusion at 4-5 km depth.

Sources: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO); Almannavarnadeild ríkislögreglustjóra (National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police and Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management)


21 October-27 October 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

IMO reported that a M 5.6 earthquake was recorded at 1343 on 20 October beneath Nupshlidarhals, a hill about 5 km W of the geothermal area in Seltun. This was the largest earthquake since 2003 recorded in the Reykjanes peninsula. There were about 1,700 aftershocks recorded in the following 24-hour period. IMO received reports of rockfalls in steep areas and increased gas odors in the vicinity of Graenavatn at Nupshlidarhals. Four landslides were noted near the epicenter; some existing ground cracks were displaced and new cracks had formed in Krysuvikurbjarg. On 26 October IMO stated that seismic activity had significantly decreased in recent days; about 180 earthquakes below M 2.2 had been detected during the previous two days.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


10 June-16 June 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

IMO reported that a third injection of magma since the beginning of the year was occurring beneath the Reykjanes peninsula. Data suggested that the current inflationary period began in mid-May, though earthquake activity did not increase until around 30 May. During 30 May-15 June the seismic network recorded more than 2,000 events, with the largest, an M 3.4, recorded on 13 June. The intrusion was located about 1 km W of Thorbjorn at a depth of 3-4 km, and had an estimated volume of about 1.2 million cubic meters. This third intrusion was similar to the previous two intrusions, characterized as a sill that was a few hundred meters wide and about 6 km long. In total about 12 cm of uplift has been recorded since January. The Svartsengi geothermal plant noted no chemical changes in the geothermal system, though measurements showed increased fluid flow in the rocks within the system, along with the opening of old cracks and the formation of new ones.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


29 April-5 May 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

IMO reported that uplift detected in the Thorbjorn area decreased in the beginning of April and stopped later in the month. Seismicity, which had occurred across three main volcanic systems: Eldey, Reykjanes-Svartsengi, and Krýsuvík, had significantly decreased. These data indicated that the injection of magma beneath Thorbjorn had stopped, though there were indications of deformation over a larger area. On 4 May the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Green.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


25 March-31 March 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

There were more than 6,000 earthquakes recorded beneath the Reykjanes peninsula as of 26 March, making this period of unrest the largest seismic crisis ever recorded in this part of the country since digital monitoring started in 1991, according to IMO. The seismicity occurred across three main volcanic systems: Eldey, Reykjanes-Svartsengi, and Krýsuvík. Uplift continued to be detected in the Thorbjorn area totaling about 70-80 mm; the deformation rate was lower than in January and February. Deformation modeling suggested that recent inflation was caused by a second magmatic intrusion at a depth of 3-4 km in an area W of Thorbjorn, close to the intrusion that occurred at the beginning of the year. GPS data suggested a small deformation pattern detectable over a regional area, far beyond the Thorbjorn area.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


11 March-17 March 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

On 18 March IMO raised the Aviation Color Code for Reykjanes to Yellow noting that recent InSAR and GPS data indicated that during the second week of March deformation had restarted. The uplift was concentrated in the same place as that recorded in January-February, though at a slower rate. The cause of the deformation was likely an intrusion of magma at 4.5 km depth.

A large (M 4.6) earthquake was recorded on 12 March and located 3.5 km NE of Thorbjorn, possibly connected to the inflation. A sequence of aftershocks lasted for a few days and was characterized by eight earthquakes over M 3 and about 80 events with magnitudes between 2 and 3. Since the large event a total of 850 earthquakes were recorded in the area.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


19 February-25 February 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

On 25 February IMO reported that seismic activity at Reykjanes, in an area N of the town of Grindavík, had significantly decreased during the previous few days, and inflation was not detected in GPS and InSAR data. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Green. Preliminary data suggested a small deflation signal beginning mid-February, though further analysis was needed for confirmation. The report warned the public not to explore lava tubes in the Eldvörp area as gas measurements showed a dangerous level of oxygen depletion; there are no pre-unrest measurements existing for comparison.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


12 February-18 February 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

On 15 February IMO reported that seismicity at Reykjanes, in an area N of the town of Grindavík, remained above background levels even though activity had been decreasing since the end of January. Two earthquakes larger than M 3 were detected; one of them, an M 3.1, was recorded at 0826 on 14 February. The rate of deformation had slightly increased. The Aviation Code remained at Yellow.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


5 February-11 February 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

On 7 February IMO reported that data collected during the previous week indicated that a magma body was located 3-5 km beneath Reykjanes. Earthquake activity had decreased during the previous two days, though inflation was ongoing, reaching 5 cm. The Aviation Code remained at Yellow.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


22 January-28 January 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

IMO reported possible magma accumulation beneath Reykjanes, centered along the plate boundary below the Svartsengi fissure system, just W of Thorbjorn. Deformation began on 21 January and was unusually rapid, with the rate of inflation occurring at 3-4 mm per day (3 cm total by 29 January), as detected by InSAR and continuous GPS data. Magma accumulation, if that was causing the inflation, was small with an estimate volume of 1 million cubic meters, at 3-5 km depth. Deformation on the Reykjanes peninsula had been measured for three decades with no previously comparable signals.

An earthquake swarm accompanied the deformation, just E of the center of the inflation. The largest earthquakes were M 3.6 and 3.7, recorded on 22 January, and felt widely on the Reykjanes peninsula and all the way to Borgarnes region. Earthquake swarms are relatively common, though coupled with deformation caused IMO to raise the Aviation Code to Yellow on 26 January. The swarm was declining by 26 January. On 29 January IMO stated that data showed continuing uplift and the earthquake swarm was ongoing.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)


The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Reykjanes.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 19 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 1970 Jul 2 (?) ± 182 days ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur (Eldeyjarbodi)
1970 Jul 2 (?) ± 182 days - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur (Eldeyjarbodi)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
1970
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1966 Jul 2 ± 182 days ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur (Eldeyjarbodi)
1966 Jul 2 ± 182 days - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur (Eldeyjarbodi)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
1966    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1830 Mar 13 (?) - 1831 Mar (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur (Eldeyjarbodi)
1830 Mar 13 (?) - 1831 Mar (?) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur (Eldeyjarbodi)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Time and Type Unknown.
   - - - -    - - - - Island Uncertain
1830 Mar 13
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1783 May 1 (in or before) - 1783 Aug 15 ± 60 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur (Nyey)
1783 May 1 (in or before) - 1783 Aug 15 ± 60 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur (Nyey)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
   - - - -    - - - - Island ephemeral
1783 May 1
(in or before)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1661 Dec ] Discredited Eruption

1583 Jul 15 ± 45 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur (near Eldeyjar Islands)
1583 Jul 15 ± 45 days - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur (near Eldeyjar Islands)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1583 Jul 15 ± 45 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1240 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur, Arnarsetur, Illahraun
1240 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur, Arnarsetur, Illahraun

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra
1240    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1238 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur
1238 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
1238    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1231 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur, R-10 tephra
1231 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur, R-10 tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra
   - - - -    - - - - Island
1231    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1226 Jul 15 ± 45 days - 1227 (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur, R-9 tephra
1226 Jul 15 ± 45 days - 1227 (?) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur, R-9 tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1226 Jul 15 ± 45 days    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1223 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur, R-8 tephra
1223 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur, R-8 tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1223    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1211 Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Stampar, Karlsgigur
1211 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Stampar, Karlsgigur

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra

1210 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Vatnsfellsgigur
1210 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Vatnsfellsgigur

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
1210    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1179 (in or before) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur, R-5 and R-6 tephras
1179 (in or before) - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur, R-5 and R-6 tephras

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1179
(in or before)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0920 (?) Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur (near Eldey), R-4 tephra
0920 (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur (near Eldey), R-4 tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra

0200 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Lambagjá
0200 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Lambagjá

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
0200 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

0400 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Sundhnukar
0400 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Sundhnukar

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow violent, strong, or large
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
0400 BCE ± 100 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1800 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur, Stampar, R-2, R-3 tephras
1800 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur, Stampar, R-2, R-3 tephras

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra
1800 BCE ± 300 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

3800 BCE ± 300 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Reykjaneshryggur, R-1 tephra
3800 BCE ± 300 years - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Reykjaneshryggur, R-1 tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Tephra

4000 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Sandfellshaed
4000 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Sandfellshaed

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava fountains
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava lake
4000 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

5040 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Hopsnes
5040 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Hopsnes

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Entered water.
5040 BCE ± 100 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

8000 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Thrainskjöldur
8000 BCE (?) - Unknown Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Thrainskjöldur

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava fountains
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
   - - - -    - - - - Lava lake
8000 BCE
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Reykjanes.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Reykjanes.

Photo Gallery

The Reykjanes volcanic system at the SW tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland comprises a broad area of postglacial crater rows and small shield volcanoes. Snow-covered Sandfellshæd shield volcano (lower center), capped by a small crater of approximately 400 m diameter, rises less than 100 m above the Atlantic Ocean to the south (background). Most of the volcanic system is covered by Holocene lava flows. Eruptions have occurred in historical time. Eruptions during the 13th century distributed tephra across the Reykjanes peninsula and lava covered about 50 km2.

Photo by Helgi Torfason (courtesy of Richie Williams, U S Geological Survey, published in Gudmundsson, 1986).
The snow-covered Reykjanes volcanic system forms the SW tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above sea level. It is the westernmost of a series of four closely spaced, NE-SW-trending, en-echelon fissure systems that extend diagonally across the Reykjanes Peninsula. Most of this system is covered by Holocene lavas, and eruptions occurred during the 13th century at several locations.

Photo by Oddur Sigurdsson, 1998 (Icelandic National Energy Authority).
The submarine Reykjaneshryggur volcanic system, lying off the southwest tip of Iceland, is part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which extends onto the Reykjanes Peninsula (foreground). A small plume of steam from geothermal activity is visible (middle left). Numerous submarine eruptions at Reykjaneshryggur dating back to the 13th century have been observed, some of which have formed short-lived islands. Submarine eruptions have been characterized by phreatomagmatic or Surtseyan explosive activity, depositing tephra on land. Subaerial eruptions have been typified by effusive activity, producing lava flows on Reykjanes Peninsula.

Photo by Oddur Sigurdsson, 1998 (Icelandic National Energy Authority).
GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.


Title: Geomorphology of Iceland
Publisher: University of Goteborg, Dept Phys Geog
Country: Iceland
Year: 1984
Map Type: Geology (Geomorphology)
Scale: 1:1,750
Map of Geomorphology of Iceland

Title: Geographical Names of Iceland
Publisher: University of Goteborg, Dept Phys Geog
Country: Iceland
Year: 1984
Map Type: Unknown
Scale: 1:1,750
Map of Geographical Names of Iceland
Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 17 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 115614 Tholeiite ARNARSETUR --
NMNH 115616 Tholeiite -- --
NMNH 115618 Tholeiite TJALDSTADAGJA --
NMNH 115619 Tholeiite SYRFELLSHRAUN --
NMNH 115621 Tholeiite STAMPAR --
NMNH 115622 Olivine Tholeiite LANGHOLL --
NMNH 115625 Picrite Basalt -- --
NMNH 115626 Picrite Basalt -- --
NMNH 115627 Olivine Tholeiite THRAINSSKJOLDUR --
NMNH 115628 Olivine Tholeiite THRAINSSKJOLDUR --
NMNH 115629 Olivine Tholeiite LANGHOLL --
NMNH 115630 Olivine Tholeiite LANGHOLL --
NMNH 115631 Olivine Tholeiite THRAINSSKJOLDUR --
NMNH 115632 Olivine Tholeiite THRAINSSKJOLDUR --
NMNH 115633 Tholeiite -- --
NMNH 115634 Picrite Basalt VATNSHEIDI --
NMNH 115636 Picrite Basalt HROLFSVIKURHRAUN --
External Sites