The deadly gases emanating from the caves of Eldwerp, Iceland have triggered an official warning, while a swarm of earthquakes thunders on the Torbjörn volcano, also on the Reykjanes peninsula. Are both of these phenomena related?
The Icelandic Meteorological Service (IMO) has issued a warning for cave excursions in the Eldwerp area of the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Dangerous CO2 and O2 levels were recorded in a popular cave in the area on February 20, 2020. A series of earthquakes are currently shaking Mount Torbjorn volcano.
A powerful earthquake with more than 200 tremors per week has been ongoing since January 27, 2020 at Mount Torbjorn. Scientists say this may indicate a possible intrusion of magma beneath a volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Meanwhile, in the same Reykjanes Peninsula, high concentrations of the deadly gas in a famous cave in the region prompted IMO officials to warn residents and tourists to stay away from Elderp Caves.
"We are warning about cave excursions in the Eldwerp area of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Lethal CO2 concentrations as well as Lethal (low) oxygen levels were measured yesterday in a cave next to a popular tourist car park."
Do you think both phenomena are related?
Elderpa caves
Eldwerp is famous for its steam geysers and a series of large craters.
Seismic activity near Grindavik
More than 250 earthquakes hit the Grindavik area last week with the largest M3.2 and M3.1 and were felt nearby.
Recent evidence suggests that crustal deformation is still ongoing, but has already decreased.
Meanwhile, another series of earthquakes occurred in February at the southwestern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, where about 70 earthquakes have been recorded.
It's pretty scary, isn't it? Two strange geological phenomena - a swarm of earthquakes and deadly gas emissions) are currently putting officials on high alert in Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula! So what's going on there?