Recent earthquakes in Iceland
Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the divergent boundary where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, and sits atop a mantle hotspot. This unique combination drives frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, concentrated in rift and transform zones such as the Reykjanes Peninsula and the South Iceland Seismic Zone. Recent Reykjanes activity has produced repeated eruptions and earthquake swarms. In the past 24 hours, Iceland has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Iceland have earthquakes?
Iceland sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two plates spread apart, combined with a volcanic hotspot beneath it. Most earthquakes occur along rift zones and along transform faults such as the South Iceland Seismic Zone.
Are Iceland's earthquakes linked to volcanoes?
Often, yes. Many Icelandic earthquakes are volcanic in origin, caused by magma moving underground, as seen in the intense swarms on the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021. Purely tectonic earthquakes also occur on the transform zones.
What is the biggest earthquake in Iceland?
Iceland's largest historical earthquakes, around magnitude 6.5 to 7, have struck the South Iceland Seismic Zone, including events in 1784 and a pair in June 2000. Its divergent setting limits earthquakes to smaller magnitudes than subduction zones produce.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.