Rifting of the plate boundary in north Iceland 1975–1978

Abstract

A rifting episode started in 1975 on the accreting plate boundary in North Iceland after 100 years of quiescence. Horizontal extension of some 3 m has been observed in the Krafla caldera and the associated 80 km long fissure swarm. The rifting occurs periodically in short active pulses at a few months intervals. Between these active pulses, continuous inflation of 7–10 mm/day of the caldera is caused by 5 m3/s inflow of magma into a magma chamber at 3 km depth. The active pulses are caused by a sudden east‐west expansion of the fissure swarm and a contraction of zones outside the fissure swarm. Rapid flow of magma out of the magma chamber and into the fissures toward north or south is indicated. These pulses are accompanied by earthquake swarms and vertical ground movements of up to 2 m and sometimes also volcanic eruptions and formation of new fumaroles. The magma chamber below the Krafla caldera thus acts as a trigger for the plate movement along the constructive plate boundary in North Iceland.