Deformation in the Northern Volcanic Zone of Iceland 2008–2014: An interplay of tectonic, magmatic, and glacial isostatic deformation

Abstract

AbstractGPS measurements spanning 2008 to 2014 are used to derive the surface velocity field across the Northern Volcanic Zone (NVZ) of Iceland, a subaerial part of the divergent boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. No volcanic activity nor magmatic intrusions were detected in the zone during this time period. We infer an extensional rate of 17.4 mm/yr in direction 292.0 °, consistent with the results of previous studies and current plate motion models including MORVEL2010 and GEODVEL2010. The horizontal velocity field reveals about 50 km wide stretching zone caused by the divergent plate movements. Glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) induces uplift of over 20 mm/yr at the northern edge of Vatnajökull ice cap and 3–4 mm/yr horizontal motion directed away from the ice cap. Deformation in the NVZ between 2008 and 2014 can be reproduced by a combination of models relating to several different processes: (i) Mogi sources for volcanic and geothermal deformation at the Askja and Krafla volcanoes, (ii) scaled version of a velocity field derived from a glacial isostatic model, and (iii) simple arctangent‐based model for secular plate spreading. We find the approximate location of the plate boundary spreading axis as well as its locking depth. The spreading axis lies through the Krafla, Fremrinámar, and Askja central volcanoes, the most active ones in the NVZ. It does not appear to follow the general direction of each fissure swarm but rather to change direction at the central volcanoes. The locking depth is on average within the 7–9 km range.