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- Auriac, A., et al.
(author)
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Iceland rising : Solid Earth response to ice retreat inferred from satellite radar interferometry and visocelastic modeling
- 2013
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202 .- 2169-9313 .- 2169-9356. ; 118:4, s. 1331-1344
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A broad uplift occurs in Iceland in response to the retreat of ice caps, which began circa 1890. Until now, this deformation signal has been measured primarily using GPS at points some distance away from the ice caps. Here, for the first time we use satellite radar interferometry (interferometric synthetic aperture radar) to constrain uplift of the ground all the way up to the edge of the largest ice cap, Vatnajokull. This allows for improved constraints on the Earth rheology, both the thickness of the uppermost Earth layer that responds only in an elastic manner and the viscosity below it. The interferometric synthetic aperture radar velocities indicate a maximum displacement rate of 24 +/- 4 and 31 +/- 4 mm/yr at the edge of Vatnajokull, during 1995-2002 and 2004-2009, respectively. The fastest rates occur at outlet glaciers of low elevation where ice retreat is high. We compare the observations with glacial isostatic adjustment models that include the deglaciation history of the Icelandic ice caps since 1890 and two Earth layers. Using a Bayesian approach, we derived probability density functions for the average Earth model parameters for three satellite tracks. Based on our assumptions, the three best fit models give elastic thicknesses in the range of 15-40 km, and viscosities ranging from 4-10x1018 Pa s.
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2. |
- Sigmundsson, F., et al.
(author)
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Intrusion triggering of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull explosive eruption
- 2010
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In: Nature. ; 468:7322, s. 426-430
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gradual inflation of magma chambers often precedes eruptions at highly active volcanoes. During such eruptions, rapid deflation occurs as magma flows out and pressure is reduced1–3. Less is known about the deformation style at moderately active volcanoes, such as Eyjafjallajo¨kull, Iceland, where an explosive summit eruption of trachyandesite beginning on 14 April 2010 caused exceptional disruption to air traffic, closing airspace over much of Europe for days. This eruption was preceded by an effusive flank eruption of basalt from 20 March to 12 April 2010. The 2010 eruptions are the culmination of 18 years of intermittent volcanic unrest4–9. Here we show that deformation associated with the eruptions was unusual because it did not relate to pressure changes within a single magma chamber. Deformation was rapid before the first eruption (.5mm per day after 4 March), but negligible during it. Lack of distinct co-eruptive deflation indicates that the net volume of magma drained from shallow depth during this eruption was small; rather, magma flowed from considerable depth. Before the eruption, a 0.05km3 magmatic intrusion grew over a period of three months, in a temporally and spatially complex manner, as revealed by GPS (Global Positioning System) geodetic measurements and interferometric analysis of satellite radar images. The second eruption occurred within the ice-capped caldera of the volcano, with explosivity amplified by magma–ice interaction. Gradual contraction of a source, distinct from the pre-eruptive inflation sources, is evident from geodetic data. Eyjafjallajo¨kull’s behaviour can be attributed to its off-rift setting with a ‘cold’ subsurface structure and limited magma at shallow depth, as may be typical for moderately active volcanoes. Clear signs of volcanic unrest signals over years to weeks may indicate reawakening of such volcanoes, whereas immediate short-term eruption precursors may be subtle and difficult to detect.
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