Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland – October 20, 2025
A series of strong earthquakes struck beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier starting at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, according to a statement from the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO). Several of the quakes exceeded magnitude 3, with the largest recorded at magnitude 3.5.
While the activity was concentrated beneath the glacier, seismic tremors were also recorded northwest of the town of Vík í Mýrdal, located on Iceland’s southern coast. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the following earthquakes occurred in the region within a short period:
- M3.5 – 25 km NW of Vík
- M3.4 – 27 km NW of Vík
- M3.3 – 27 km NW of Vík
- M3.0 – 60 km NW of Húsavík
- M2.9 – 26 km NW of Vík
- M2.8 – 28 km NW of Borgarnes
Despite the strength and frequency of these events, no damage or injuries have been reported, and the quakes were not felt in populated areas. The IMO also noted there have been no significant changes in glacial river conductivity, which would suggest increased geothermal or volcanic activity beneath the ice.
Mýrdalsjökull sits atop the Katla volcano, one of Iceland’s most active and closely monitored volcanic systems. Katla last erupted in 1918, and any significant increase in seismicity around the glacier is taken seriously by scientists and civil authorities.
This is the second notable seismic swarm in the area this month, following a magnitude 3+ quake recorded on October 3. A similar episode occurred in May and June 2023, when the largest quake in the series reached magnitude 4.8.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. While current activity does not indicate an imminent eruption, the seismic swarm underscores the dynamic and potentially volatile nature of Iceland’s geological landscape.
