Combien de séismes y a-t-il en Islande?

L'Islande a une forte activité sismique. D'après les données des 25 dernières années et nos archives sismiques avec des données depuis 1900, il y a environ 43,000 séismes en moyenne par an en Islande . L'Islande a eu au moins 2 séismes au-dessus de la magnitude 7 depuis 1900, ce qui suggère que des sésimes forts de cette taille se produisent probablement en moyenne environ tous les 60 à 65 ans.

Combien de séismes se produisent chaque année en Islande ?

En moyenne, il y a environ 496 séismes de magnitude 3 ou plus par an en Islande (Mag 4+: 71 séismes par an, Mag 5+: 4.3 séismes par an).

L'Islande et ses volcans:

Mis à jour: 19 avril. 2025 01:34 GMT - actualiser

L'Islande a la superficie de la Virginie et possède une population comparable à celle de Virginia Beach (près de 260.000 personnes). Le pays a le taux d'alphabétisation le plus élevé (100 %) de toutes les nations dans le monde. Son histoire a toujours été étroitement liée aux volcans et aux connaissances d'un grand nombre d'éruptions volcaniques qui depuis le Moyen-âge ont été conservées dans des écrits.

Tout d'abord instauré par les Vikings dans le 9e siècle AD, l'Islande établi son propre Parlement en 930 et a enregistré sa première éruption volcanique historique seulement quelques années plus tard. Après un âge d'or de la littérature au cours des 12e et 13e siècles (lorsque les sagas ont été écrites), les rapports d'histoire naturelle ont atteint un faible taux autour du 15ème siècle . Dans les années 1707-09 un tiers de la population meurent de la variole, et l'éruption du Laki durant 1783-84 tua un cinquième de la population restante par la famine. L'Islande acquis la souveraineté du Danemark en 1918 et pris son indépendance totale en 1944.
L'Islande est notée pour ses éruptions fissurales sous-glaciaires et régionales rattachées au processus de rifting entre les plaques tectoniques qui se séparent.
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(adapté à partir des infos du GVP/Smithsonian Institution)

Volcanoes of Iceland

Péninsule de Reykjanes, Islande (4 volcans)

Brennisteinsfjöll | Fagradalsfjall | Krísuvík | Svartsengi

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Éruptions volcaniques importantes: Islande

In historic times, at least 19 volcanoes have been active en Islande, including Svartsengi, Fagradalsfjall et Bardarbunga volcanoes. A total of 157 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since autour 920 AD.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events en Islande since around 1990.

Date	Volcan	VEI	Région	Morts	Dommages
2023 Déc 18 - en cours	Svartsengi Sundhnúkagígar, Svartsengi fissure swarm	1	Reykjanes peninsula, SW Iceland		inconnu	Infos
First episode of 7 fissure eruptions during Dec 2023-24. Followed intense earthquake swarm since 10 Nov, lasted 18-21 Dec 2023. Lava reached outskirts of Gríndavik town, which had been evacuated.
2023 Déc 18 (éruption 2023 Déc 18 - en cours)	Svartsengi	0	Reykjanes peninsula, SW Iceland	1	modéré	Infos
2023 Déc 18: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that a seismic swarm began near the older Sundhnukagigar crater row on the Reykjanes peninsula around 0230 on 14 January. A fissure eruption began at around 0757 just N of Grindavík, SE of Hagafell. Lava covered part of Grindavikurvegur road and overtopped a small area of the berm at the road, flowing south. A shorter second fissure opened at 1210 on 14 January to the SW of the first, about 200 m from the Efrahopi neighborhood in Grindavík. Lava flows traveled south, entering the town and setting at least three houses on fire. A man working on filling cracks in Grindavík fell into one of the cracks on 10 January and was unable to be located. Hundreds of rescue workers searched for the man but due to unsafe conditions and landslides occurring inside the crack the search was stopped on 12 January. (reference #13710) January 15, 2024: A new lava eruption started on 14 January at 7:57 UTC, and the fissure opening was located southeast of Hagafell Mountain. The southernmost part of the fissureis about 900 m from the town of Grindavik. Lava flow towards the town is ongoing and at 12.10 UTC on 14 January, a new lava fissure opened, and the lava flow affected the northern part of Grindavik. Gas pollution from the eruption is spreading south and southwest. According to media reports, all the people living in the town of Grindavik have been evacuated for the second time - they were allowed to return to their homes on 22 December following the eruption of 18 December. In addition, some houses in the town have been burned by the lava flow as well as road 43 which connects the city with the airport and Reykjavik. In addition, the wall defenses built after the eruption in December have partially contained the lava, but some have been breached. (reference #13714) December 18, 2023: At 22:17 UTC, a 4 km long volcanic fissure started erupting lava. The fissure is located in correspondence of the dyke intrusion that formed in November almost 3 km from Grindavík Town (Reykjanes Peninsula, south-western Iceland). (reference #13713) November 30, 2023: As of 28 November, the Icelandic Civil Protection reports that the building of a defense wall around Svartsengi power plant is ongoing and 3,700 people are still evacuated from Grindavik. Moreover, electricity, drinking water networks, several houses and roads have been damaged. (reference #13712) November 14, 2023: According to national authorities, at least 3,700 people living in Grindavík Towns have been preventively evacuated, boats are being evacuated from the harbour, several roads have been damaged (by earthquakes) as well as several water and power infrastructures and sewage. (reference #13711) October 25, 2023: An intense earthquake swarm started near Svartsengi, north of Grindavik. (reference #13711) Cited references #13710 Global Volcanism Program (2024): Report on Reykjanes (Iceland) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 January-16 January 2024. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey. Link #13711 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Unrest, Update. Published 14 November 2023. Link #13712 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Unrest, Update. Published 30 November 2023. Link #13713 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2023): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Eruption. Published 19 December 2023. Link #13714 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) (2024): ECHO Daily Flash, Iceland - Volcanic Activity. Published 15 January 2024. Link #13715 Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) (2024): Uplift at Svartsengi continues. Accessed 22 January 2024. Link Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2023 Jul 10 - Août 5	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland		inconnu
2022 Août 3 - Août 21	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland		inconnu
2021 Mar 19 - Sep 18	Fagradalsfjall	0	Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland		inconnu
2014 Août 29 - 2015 Fév 27	Bardarbunga Holuhraun vent, 45 km NE	0	Central Iceland		inconnu
2011 Mai 21 - Mai 25	Grímsvötn SW part of the caldera	4	Northeastern Iceland		inconnu
2010 Mar 20 - Jun 23	Eyafjallajökull ENE flank (Fimmvörduháls) and summit	4	South Iceland		inconnu
2010 Mar 31 (éruption 2010 Mar 20 - Jun 23)	Eyafjallajökull	2	South Iceland	2	inconnu	Infos
2010 Mar 31: The Icelandic Met Office reported that around 1900 on 31 March a new fissure at Eyjafjöll opened NE of the first fissure that began erupting on 20 March. Activity from the second fissure was not preceded by detectable seismicity. According to a news article, the fissure was about 300 m long, and about 200 m away from the first fissure. At the time of reporting by the Icelandic Met Office on 5 April, lava fountains had remained active from both fissures. Lava mostly accumulated near the new vent but some lava flows had entered the Hruná and Hvanná gullies. News outlets reported that two people had died during the journey back from seeing the eruption.The ash cloud resulted in the cancellation of tens of thousands of daily flights, both into and out of major European cities, after 15 April. This closure lasted for several days and by April 20, many flights had resumed. Over 10,000 flights were canceled due to the eruption. Cited references #2432 Venzke, E., R.W. Wunderman, L. McClelland, T. Simkin, J.F. Luhr, L. Siebert, and G. Mayberry (eds.) (2002-): Global Volcanism, 1968 to the Present. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-4 (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
2004 Nov 1 - Nov 4	Grímsvötn SW and east sides of caldera	3	Northeastern Iceland		inconnu
2000 Fév 26 - Mar 8	Hekla SW flank	3	South Iceland		inconnu
1998 Déc 18 - Déc 28	Grímsvötn South caldera wall	3	Northeastern Iceland		inconnu
1996 Sep 30 - Nov 6	Grímsvötn Gjálp (fissure N of caldera rim)	3?	Northeastern Iceland		inconnu
1996 Sep 30 (éruption 1996 Sep 30 - Nov 6)	Grímsvötn	3	Northeastern Iceland		léger	Infos
1996 Sep 30: Damage to land and property. Cited references #2379 Siebert, L, Simkin T (2002-): Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/) Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1991 Jan 17 - Mar 11	Hekla Summit, SW, SE & NE flank fissures	3	South Iceland		inconnu

Plus

Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Islande FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption en Islande?

The last volcanic eruption en Islande was from Svartsengi volcano. It began in 2023 and is continuing (as of April 2025).

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption en Islande?

The first historically documented eruption occurred autour 920 AD from Katla volcano.

+How often do volcanoes en Islande erupt?

Since 920 AD, Islande has seen at least 157 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 7 years.

+How active are the volcanoes en Islande?

Islande is volcanically relatively active: Since 1900, at least 13 volcanoes en Islande have been active.Since 1900, Islande has had 47 volcanic eruptions from 13 individual volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions have been recorded erupted during 49 years out of 126 as of now. This means, at least one volcano en Islande has been in eruption in one in 2.6 years on average. The latest eruption from Svartsengi volcano volcano is still continuing at present.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption en Islande?

The largest eruption en Islande in historic times was from Bardarbunga volcano. It occurred in 1477 AD. It ranks as a plinian eruption with a magnitude 6 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale. Eruption of this size are often catastrophic on a regional scale.

Derniers séismes: Iceland

Au cours des 7 derniers jours, Iceland a eu 2 séismes de magnitude 4.0 ou supérieure, 4 séismes de magnitude 3+ et 17 séismes de magnitude 2+. Il y a eu aussi 829 séismes petits inférieurs de magnitude 2.0 que les gens ne peuvent normalement pas ressentir.

Magnitude 1.7 séisme: Iceland: 9.0 km NW of Akureyri .

Magnitude 1.7 Séisme Iceland: 9.0 km NW of Akureyri -

Date et l'heure	Mag / Prof.	Volcan le plus proche / Lieux
15 avril 07:59 (Reykjavik)	4.0 14 km	15 km SE de Ljósufjöll	Iceland I FELT IT	Info
15 avril 01:43 (Reykjavik)	4.5 10 km	6 km SO de Bardarbunga	121 km WNW of Höfn, Iceland I FELT IT	Info
15 avril 01:43 (Reykjavik)	3.1 1.1 km	10 km E de Bardarbunga	Iceland: 10.4 km E of Bárðarbunga I FELT IT	Info
15 avril 01:41 (Reykjavik)	3.0 1.1 km	7 km E de Bardarbunga	122 km au sud de Akureyri, Nord-est, Islande I FELT IT	Info
lundi, 14 avril 2025 GMT (1 séisme)
14 avril 16:50 (Reykjavik)	3.4 13 km	27 km E de Kolbeinsey Ridge	107 km au nord de Akureyri, Nord-est, Islande I FELT IT	Info
dimanche, 13 avril 2025 GMT (1 séisme)
13 avril 03:17 (Reykjavik)	3.3 5.4 km	7 km N de Fagradalsfjall	27 km au sud-ouest de Reykjavik, la capitale, Islande I FELT IT	Info

Voir séismes récents

Tremblements de terre importants en Islande depuis 1900

C'était le 6. séisme le plus désastreux jamais enregistré en Islande. Ce fut également le tremblement de terre le plus dévastateur survenu dans cette période : les pertes économiques totales ont été estimées à l'équivalent de $20 millions de dollars américains. 11 des maisons et autres bâtiments ont été détruits et 11 endommagés.

Date	Mag	Région	Dommages
2008 May 29	6.3	Reykjavik	léger	Info
2000 Jun 21	6.5	Grimsnes, Selfoss, Eyrarbakki, Stokkseyri	lourd	Info
2000 Jun 17	6.5	Vestmannaeyjar, Hella	lourd	Info
1976 Jan 13	6.4	Kopasker	modéré	Info

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

All Quakes in History

Carte

Les séismes les plus anciens (jusqu'à 1960) indiqués en jaune, les plus récents (à partir de 2000) en rouge.

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Tremblements de terre importants en Islande FAQ

+Quel est le tremblement de terre qui a causé le plus de dégâts en Islande depuis 1900?

Le tremblement de terre qui a causé le plus de dégâts a été le séisme de magnitude 6.5 en Islande, Sud le juin, 17, 2000. Cela a causé no known fatalities et estimées $20 millions de dollars américains (l'équivalent d'aujourd'hui) en dommages économiques totaux.

+Combien de dégâts les tremblements de terre ont-ils causés en Islande depuis 1900?

Il y a eu 4 séismes causant morts ou dommages significatifs au cours de cette période. Ensemble, ils ont causé des pertes économiques d'env. $38 millions de dollars américains.

Localisation de l'Islande et de la ride médio-océanique Atlantique Nord où les plaques Américaine et Eurasienne se séparent

Carte simplifiée de l'Islande montrant les volcans actifs

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Dernières nouvelles

mer., 9 avril 2025, 14:00

Reykjanes volcano (Iceland) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 2 April-8 April 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that the eruption that began at 0945 on 1 April near the Sundhnúkur crater row, located between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell within the Reykjanes volcanic system, was over at 1645 on that same day. Data collected during an overflight conducted by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History on 1 April indicated that about 0.4 million cubic meters of lava had erupted, making it the smallest eruption of the series that began in December 2023 and one sixth of the volume of the second smallest eruption that occurred in January 2024. The flow field was about 0.23 square kilometers and had an average thickness of 1.7 m. ... Tout lire

jeu., 3 avril 2025, 06:00

Reykjanes volcano (Iceland) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 26 March-1 April 2025 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that an earthquake swarm at the Sundhnúkur crater row began at 0630 on 1 April, located between Stóra-Skógfell and Sýlingarfell within the Reykjanes volcanic system. Monitoring data showed related deformation, and pressure changes were detected in boreholes. IMO raised the Aviation Color Code to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) at 0657 noting that magma was moving, and an eruption may begin within an hour or so. ... Tout lire