One of Iceland's largest volcanoes experiences swarm of 130 earthquakes – could it be about to explode?

An “unusually large” cryovolcano in Iceland could be on the verge of erupting after more than 130 earthquakes hit the area in five hours, experts said.

The earthquake swarm began in the northwestern region of Iceland's Bárrárbunga volcano at 6:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning (January 14), and a larger magnitude of 5.1 was reached at 8:05 a.m., the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said in a statement. On January 14th.

“The volcano is unusually large, with several possible scenarios for future developments,” IMO representatives said.

When did the Parbunga volcano last erupt?

The Bárbarbunga volcanic system, located along Iceland's eastern volcanic zone, is the longest and most active volcanic system in Iceland, according to the IMO. The area is about 120 miles (190 km) long and 16 miles (25 km) wide and is formed around a central volcano, also called Barbarbunga, which reaches an elevation of 6,598 feet (2,009 m) above sea level. The volcano is mostly covered by a glacier, and the 25-square-mile (65-square-kilometre) caldera is filled with ice.

The volcano's last eruption – from August 2014 to February 2015 – was the largest eruption in Iceland in more than 300 years. The eruption began when a large fissure opened about 30 miles (45 km) northeast of the volcano's caldera and created a large lava field known as a holohraun, which translates to “hollow lava,” according to Visit Iceland.

RELATED: The 12 largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history

The eruption spread lava across an area larger than Manhattan Island and spewed toxic gases across Iceland and Europe. IMO representatives said the latest set of earthquakes is the most significant activity of the volcano since this eruption.

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Barbarbunga is a stratovolcano – a type of cone-shaped volcano, also known as a complex volcano, that can experience violent and explosive eruptions. However, the IMO said it is difficult to predict exactly how the volcano's activity will develop at this stage.

What will happen if the Barbunga volcano erupts?

“Parararbunga is unique in that it is an unusually large volcanic system, partly covered by a glacier, and there are several possible scenarios,” IMO representatives said.

One possibility is that eruptions will occur outside the volcano's caldera, similar to the previous eruption in 2014. However, the volcano beneath the glacier could erupt within the caldera itself, potentially resulting in explosive ash emissions and glacial floods.

The earthquake swarm comes against the backdrop of months of increasing seismic activity from the volcano.

The IMO is closely monitoring the area, the service noted in the statement.

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