Svartsengi magma accumulation increases by 40 percent

Geologists report that magma accumulation beneath Svartsengi on the Reykjanes Peninsula has increased by up to 40 percent compared to the previous eruptions along the Sundhnúksgígar crater row.

Experts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office indicate that while the time between eruptions has lengthened since the current cycle began in December 2023, pressure continues to build at a depth of several kilometers. Geophysicist Benedikt Gunnar Ófeigsson notes that the next eruption could potentially be more extensive than previous ones, though it is not guaranteed that all accumulated magma will reach the surface.

Due to the uncertainty of timing and the potential for a short warning period, authorities and residents remain on alert. Although seismic activity is currently low, the possibility of a rapid magma intrusion into the Sundhnúksgígar crater row remains a primary concern for emergency responders.