Volcanism of Iceland

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The volcano system in Iceland that started activity on August 17, 2014, and ended on February 27, 2015, is Bárðarbunga.
The volcano in Iceland that erupted in May 2011 is Grímsvötn.
Active volcanic areas and systems in Iceland
Volcanic and transform zones of Iceland
Eruption column of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010
Eruptions at Holuhraun (Bárðarbunga-Veiðivötn volcanic system), 2014

Iceland experiences frequent volcanic activity, due to its location both on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent tectonic plate boundary, and over a hot spot. Nearly thirty volcanoes are known to have erupted in the Holocene epoch;[1] these include Eldgjá, source of the largest lava eruption in human history.

Volcanic systems and volcanic zones of Iceland

Holocene volcanism in Iceland is mostly to be found in the Neovolcanic Zone, comprising the Reykjanes Volcanic Belt (RVB), the West Volcanic Zone (WVZ), the Mid-Iceland Belt (MIB), the East Volcanic Zone (EVZ) and the North Volcanic Zone (NVZ). Two lateral volcanic zones play a minor role: Öræfi Volcanic Belt (ÖVB) and Snæfellsnes Volcanic Belt (SVB).[2] Outside of the main island are the Reykjanes Ridge (RR), as part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge to the southwest and the Kolbeinsey Ridge (KR) to the north. Two transform zones are connecting these volcano-tectonic zones: the South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ) in the south of Iceland and the Tjörnes Transform Zone (TFZ) in the north.

The island has around 30 active volcanic systems, comprising each volcano-tectonic fissure systems and many of them also a central volcano (mostly in the form of a stratovolcano, sometimes of a shield volcano with a magma chamber underneath). Thirteen volcanic systems have hosted eruptions since the settlement of Iceland in AD 874.[3]

Of these 30 active volcanic systems, the most active is Grímsvötn.[4] Over the past 500 years, Iceland's volcanoes have produced a third of the total global lava output.[5]

Important eruptions

See also : List of volcanic eruptions in Iceland

Hekla

Hekla has erupted more than 20 times in recorded history. It was known to medieval Europeans as the Gate of Hell; that reputation persisted into the 19th century.[6]

Laki/Skaftáreldar 1783-84

The most deadly volcanic eruption of Iceland's history was the so-called Skaftáreldar (fires of Skaftá) in 1783. The eruption was in the crater row Lakagígar (craters of Laki) southwest of Vatnajökull glacier. The craters are a part of a larger volcanic system with the subglacial Grímsvötn as a central volcano. Roughly a quarter of the Icelandic population died because of the eruption. Most died not because of the lava flow or other direct effects of the eruption but from indirect effects, including changes in climate and illnesses in livestock in the following years caused by the ash and poisonous gases from the eruption. The eruption is thought to have erupted the largest quantity of lava from a single eruption in historic times.[citation needed]

Eldfell 1973

Eldfell is a volcanic cone on the east side of Heimaey which formed during an eruption in January 1973.[7] The eruption happened without warning, causing the island's population of about 5,300 people to evacuate on fishing boats within a few hours. Importantly, the progress of lava into the harbour was slowed by manual spraying of seawater. One person died, and the eruption resulted in the destruction of homes and property on the island.[citation needed]

Eyjafjallajökull 2010

Main article: 2010 eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull

The eruption under Eyjafjallajökull in April 2010 caused extreme disruption to air travel across western and northern Europe over a period of six days in April 2010. About 20 countries closed their airspace to commercial jet traffic and it affected approximately 10 million travellers.[8]

The eruption had a VEI of 4, the largest known from Eyjafjallajökull.[9] Several previous eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull have been followed soon afterwards by eruptions of the larger volcano Katla, but after the 2010 eruption, no activity occurred at Katla.[10]

Grímsvötn 2011

Main article: 2011 eruption of Grímsvötn

The eruption in May 2011 at Grímsvötn under the Vatnajökull glacier sent thousands of tonnes of ash into the sky in a few days, raising concerns of a repeat of the travel chaos seen across northern Europe.[citation needed]

The craters of Grábrók

Hóluhraun 2014–2015

Main article: 2014–2015 eruption of Bárðarbunga

Bárðarbunga is a stratovolcano and is roughly 2,000 metres (roughly 6,560 feet) above sea level in central Iceland, i.e. in the norhern edge of Vatnajökull.[11] This makes it the second highest mountain in Iceland.
Hóluhraun is an older lavafield situated 50 km NE of Bárðarbunga, 20 km S of the Volkano Askja (last eruption 1961), the altitude ca 700 m.a.s. Here the eruption started on August 17, 2014 and lasted for 180 days,[12] The 2014-2015 eruption was Iceland's largest in 230 years.[13] Following a major earthquake swarm, multiple lava fountain eruptions began in Holuhraun.[14] The lava flow rate was between 250 and 350 cubic metres per second and came from a dyke over 40 km long.[15][16] An ice-filled subsidence bowl over 100 square kilometres in area and up to 65 metres deep formed as well.[17] There was very limited ash output from this eruption. The primary concern with this eruption was the large plumes of sulphur dioxide (SO2) in the atmosphere which adversely affected breathing conditions across Iceland, depending on wind direction. The volcanic cloud was also transported toward Western Europe in September 2014.[18]

2021 Fagradalsfjall volcanic eruption

Fagradalsfjall 2021

Following a three-week period of increased seismic activity, an eruption fissure developed near Fagradalsfjall,[19] a mountain on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Lava flow from a 200-meter fissure was first discovered by an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter on March 19, 2021 in the Geldingadalur area near Grindavík, and within hours the fissure had grown to 500 meters in length.[20]

Litli-Hrútur 2023

On 10 July 2023 at 16:40 UTC, a fissure eruption began adjacent to the summit of Litli-Hrútur.[21]

Structure of lava fields

Pāhoehoe (helluhraun) lava fields in Iceland
ʻAʻā (apalhraun) field in Iceland

The smooth flowing basaltic lava pāhoehoe is known in Icelandic as helluhraun [ˈhɛtlʏˌr̥œiːn].[Islandsbok 1] It forms smooth surfaces that are quite easy to cross. More viscous lava forms ʻaʻā flows, known in Icelandic as apalhraun [ˈaːpalˌr̥œiːn].[Islandsbok 1] The loose, broken, sharp, spiny surface of an ʻaʻā flow makes hiking across it difficult, slow and dangerous, it is easy to stick a foot into a hole and break a leg.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Global Volcanism Program | Holocene Volcano List".
  2. ^ Thor Thordarson, Armann Hoskuldsson: Iceland. Classic geology of Europe 3. Harpenden 2002, p. 9
  3. ^ Thordarson, Th; Hoskuldsson, A (2008). "Postglacial Volcanism in Iceland" (PDF). Jökull. 58: 197–228.
  4. ^ Gudmundsson, Magnus Tumi; Larsen, G; Hoskuldsson, A; Gylfason, A.G. (2008). "Volcanic Hazards in Iceland". Jökull. 58: 251–268.
  5. ^ Waugh, David (2002). Geography: An Integrated Approach. United Kingdom: Nelson Thornes. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-17-444706-1.
  6. ^ Sigurdur Þórarinsson (1967). "The eruption of Hekla in historical times. Vol. I: The eruption of Hekla 1947–48". Soc. Sci. Islandica. 38: 1–183.
  7. ^ "The Most Infamous Eruptions in Icelandic History". guidetoiceland.is. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  8. ^ Bye, Bente Lilja (27 May 2011). "Volcanic eruptions: Science and Risk Management". Science 2.0. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  9. ^ Eyjafjallajökull. Eruptive History. Global Volcanism Program. Accessed 19 August 2020.
  10. ^ Katla. Detailed description. In: Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes. Accessed 19 August 2020
  11. ^ "Bardarbunga". www.volcanodiscovery.com. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  12. ^ Gudmundsson, Magnús T.; Jónsdóttir, Kristín; Hooper, Andrew; Holohan, Eoghan P.; Halldórsson, Sæmundur A.; Ófeigsson, Benedikt G.; Cesca, Simone; Vogfjörd, Kristín S.; Sigmundsson, Freysteinn (2016-07-15). "Gradual caldera collapse at Bárdarbunga volcano, Iceland, regulated by lateral magma outflow" (PDF). Science. 353 (6296): aaf8988. doi:10.1126/science.aaf8988. hdl:10447/227125. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 27418515. S2CID 206650214.
  13. ^ Hudson, T. S.; White, R. S.; Greenfield, T.; Ágústsdóttir, T.; Brisbourne, A.; Green, R. G. (2017-09-16). "Deep crustal melt plumbing of Bárðarbunga volcano, Iceland" (PDF). Geophysical Research Letters. 44 (17): 2017GL074749. Bibcode:2017GeoRL..44.8785H. doi:10.1002/2017gl074749. ISSN 1944-8007. S2CID 134072252.
  14. ^ "Ljós norðan jökuls: Töldu annað gos hafið". www.ruv.is/. RÚV. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  15. ^ See e.g. http://earthice.hi.is/bardarbunga_2014 Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland:Bardarbunga 2014
  16. ^ See also Icelandic media RÚV: http://www.ruv.is/frett/seismic-activity-still-strong Received Sept. 24, 2014
  17. ^ Gudmundsson, Magnús T.; Jónsdóttir, Kristín; Hooper, Andrew; Holohan, Eoghan P.; Halldórsson, Sæmundur A.; Ófeigsson, Benedikt G.; Cesca, Simone; Vogfjörd, Kristín S.; Sigmundsson, Freysteinn (2016-07-15). "Gradual caldera collapse at Bárdarbunga volcano, Iceland, regulated by lateral magma outflow" (PDF). Science. 353 (6296): aaf8988. doi:10.1126/science.aaf8988. hdl:10447/227125. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 27418515. S2CID 206650214.
  18. ^ Boichu, M.; Chiapello, I.; Brogniez, C.; Péré, J.-C.; Thieuleux, F.; Torres, B.; Blarel, L.; Mortier, A.; Podvin, T. (2016-08-31). "Current challenges in modelling far-range air pollution induced by the 2014–2015 Bárðarbunga fissure eruption (Iceland)". Atmos. Chem. Phys. 16 (17): 10831–10845. Bibcode:2016ACP....1610831B. doi:10.5194/acp-16-10831-2016. ISSN 1680-7324.
  19. ^ Bindeman, I. N.; Deegan, F. M.; Troll, V. R.; Thordarson, T.; Höskuldsson, Á; Moreland, W. M.; Zorn, E. U.; Shevchenko, A. V.; Walter, T. R. (2022-06-29). "Diverse mantle components with invariant oxygen isotopes in the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption, Iceland". Nature Communications. 13 (1): 3737. Bibcode:2022NatCo..13.3737B. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-31348-7. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 9243117. PMID 35768436.
  20. ^ Icelandic Media RÚV: https://www.ruv.is/frett/2021/03/19/eldgos-hafid-vid-fagradalsfjall. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Latest news on the volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninula". Icelandic Meteorological office. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-07-13.
  1. ^ a b Lidén, Eva (1994). "Geologi-så bildades Island". Kall ökensand och varma källor. En bok om Island (in Swedish). Båstad: Föreningen Natur och Samhälle i Norden. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-91-85586-07-3.


External links

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