5,000 years ago. Reykjanes Volcanic Belt Since the end of the Pleistocene glaciation (15.000 – 11.000 years ago in the region), Holocene volcanoes have done their work. The Reykjanes Volcanic Belt, one of the present day volcanic zones of Iceland, is connected to the submarine Reykjanes Ridge and consists (depending on author) of 3 to 6 or even 7 volcanic systems, arranged en echelon, i.e. more or less side by side, and in an average 40° angle to the spreading direction NE–SW over the peninsula. These volcanic systems are: Eldey Volcanic System (mostly submarine), Reykjanes Volcanic System, Svartsengi Volcanic System (often thought to be a part of Reykjanes Volcanic System), Krýsuvík Volcanic System, Brennisteinsfjöll Volcanic System, and Hengill Volcanic System (which stretches up to the north and into the West Volcanic Zone). Because they are on top of a rift segment, these volcanic systems show a tendency for fissure eruptions. Tectonics As is usual within rift zones, tectonics play an important role on Reykjanes Peninsula. Earthquakes are often registered. They may reach up to magnitude M6, but most of the earthquakes are small. These earthquakes often take place within the volcanic systems, but there are also many faults, fractures and fissures in the N-S direction on the peninsula. Additionally, the region is influenced by the South Iceland Seismic Zone. This southern transform zone of Iceland is between the West Volcanic Zone and the East Volcanic Zone. The larger earthquakes are felt and registered on Reykjanes Peninsula, and they can also trigger medium-sized quakes in this region, as last seen in 2008 and especially in 2000. Current volcanism On 20 October 2020, a 5.6 earthquake was registered on Reykjanes Peninsula at Núpshlíðarháls within the Krýsuvík system. It was followed up by over 1,000 aftershocks and is part of a series stretching over nearly one year. On 24 February 2021, a new earthquake series comprising hundreds of earthquakes and including two earthquakes over 5 were registered by the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), with one registering at 5.7. The alert phase of Iceland's Civil Protection was activated, because even bigger earthquakes could not be excluded in this earthquake series, according to Kristín Jónsdóttir from IMO in a RÚV interview from the same day. The whole region has been under close scrutiny of scientists. A magnitude 5.1 earthquake was recorded on 1 March 2021. In addition, satellite pictures showed a pronounced uplift near the