Earthquake events in volcanic regions have been found to be associated with ice movement rather than with volcanic activity, says a research published in Amercian Geophysical Union.
Normally, in volcanic regions, repeating long-period (lp) earthquakes occur often and are sometimes thought to signal an imminent eruption. To accurately assess volcanic hazards, scientists need to correctly identify the source of earthquake activity.
Jónsdóttir et al. analysed climatic and seismic data from Katla volcano, Iceland. Their study, covering more than 13,000 lp events since 2000, indicates that earthquake activity was seasonal and clearly correlated with climatic changes and increased ice movement.
They also note that the seismic activity has been continuous for years, with no sign of volcanic eruption. They conclude that the lp events recorded in the region were caused by glacial movements, not volcanic activity, as previously thought.
Although the results are specific to the Katla volcano region, the authors suggest that global warming could lead to increasing glacier-induced earthquake activity at other glacier-covered volcanoes.
Normally, in volcanic regions, repeating long-period (lp) earthquakes occur often and are sometimes thought to signal an imminent eruption. To accurately assess volcanic hazards, scientists need to correctly identify the source of earthquake activity.
Jónsdóttir et al. analysed climatic and seismic data from Katla volcano, Iceland. Their study, covering more than 13,000 lp events since 2000, indicates that earthquake activity was seasonal and clearly correlated with climatic changes and increased ice movement.
They also note that the seismic activity has been continuous for years, with no sign of volcanic eruption. They conclude that the lp events recorded in the region were caused by glacial movements, not volcanic activity, as previously thought.
Although the results are specific to the Katla volcano region, the authors suggest that global warming could lead to increasing glacier-induced earthquake activity at other glacier-covered volcanoes.
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