More than 130 earthquakes have been detected beneath a large volcano in Iceland in a possible precursor to a volcanic eruption

More than 130 earthquakes were recorded Tuesday at Iceland's large Bardarbunga volcano, the Icelandic Meteorological Office said, a possible precursor to an eruption among several scenarios being considered.

The Met Office said the color code for aviation over the area had been changed from green to yellow as a precaution, but the volcano's remote location in the heart of the uninhabited highlands of southern Iceland meant infrastructure was not at risk.

The Meteorological Office said in a statement that the series of seismic events continued for about three hours before calming down slightly.

“Earthquakes are still being detected in the area and it is too early to say whether the swarm will fade away,” she added.

She added that the largest earthquake recorded a magnitude of 5.1, while 17 other earthquakes with a magnitude of 3 or higher were detected, including at least two earthquakes with a magnitude of 4 or more.

The Met Office said the quakes were “consistent with increased inflation due to the accumulation of magma” under Bardarbunga.

The Met Office said: “Activity will be closely monitored but it is difficult to determine the development at this stage.”

The caldera, or cavity, of the central Bardarbunga volcano is about 25 square miles in area and is filled with ice.

It is one of six volcanic systems located beneath Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajokull.

If a subglacial eruption occurs, there is a risk of ash eruption and subglacial flooding from under Vatnajokull.

The Met Office explained that if an eruption occurred outside the glacier, it would be a lava eruption.

“Seismic activity has increased in Bardarbunga in recent months,” she added, as Tuesday's earthquake was the largest since the last eruption of the Bardarbunga volcano in 2014-2015, which lasted six months.

An aerial photo taken on September 14, 2014 shows a plane flying over Bardarbunga volcano, spewing lava and smoke in southeastern Iceland. Bernard Merrick/AFP via Getty Images

“Bardarbunga is unique because it is an unusually large volcanic system, partly covered by a glacier, and there are several possible scenarios,” the agency said. “Extensive research, along with risk assessments and emergency planning, was conducted during the 2014-2015 eruption, which will be valuable in the event of further volcanic activity.”

This eruption caused the largest flow of basalt lava in Iceland in more than 230 years, but it did not cause injuries or damage.

Iceland witnessed seven volcanic eruptions in one year near the fishing village of Grindavik in the southwest of the country, which led to the evacuation of the city. After the seventh eruption, people were evacuated from about 50 homes in Grindavik, according to the country's Civil Protection Agency.

Iceland is home to 33 active volcanic systems, more than any other European country.

It is located on top of a rift between two tectonic plates, making the island nation vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which have rocked parts of the country and caused population displacement in recent years.

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