Open AccessCenter of the Iceland hotspot experiences volcanic unrest
Author(s) -
Einarsson Páll,
Brandsdóttir Bryndís,
Gudmundsson Magnüs Tumi,
Björnsson Helgi,
Grínvold Karl,
Sigmundsson Freysteinn
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/97eo00237
Subject(s) - geology , volcano , meltwater , phreatic eruption , caldera , andesite , lahar , glacier , stratovolcano , geomorphology , geochemistry , volcanic rock , magma , pyroclastic rock
A volcanic eruption beneath the Vatnajökull ice cap in central Iceland (Figure 1) began on September 30,1996, along a 7‐km‐long fissure between the volcanoes Bárdarbunga and Grímsvötn. The eruption continued for 13 days and produced ˜0.5 km 3 of basaltic andesite. Meltwater from the eruption site flowed into the caldera lake of the Grímsvötn volcano, where it accumulated beneath a floating ice shelf. The lake's ice dam was lifted off the glacier bed on November 4, and in the next two days more than 3 km 3 of water drained out beneath the glacier and flushed down to the south coast's alluvial plain, causing extensive flooding and damage to transportation and communication systems.