The event was composed of ten eruptive episodes, each one beginning with strong earthquakes, followed by explosive activity, resulting in a new fissure segment. ]This volcanic eruption produced 14.7 cubic kilometers of lava. The delta of the Skaftá river in southern Iceland. This system on average produces one volcanic eruption every 2-7 years. Grímsvötn is Iceland’s most productive volcanic system, fed by a central volcano of the same name that is located underneath the Vatnajökull ice shield. The Laki fissure eruption is located in a system called Grímsvötn. It is further divided into thirty volcanic systems, with a wide range of different volcano types. ]Iceland is divided into various volcanic zones, which make up a third of Iceland’s landmass (Figure 1). Iceland and the location of the Laki Fissure, indicated by a red line to the SW of Vatnajökull. Secondly, that it is located on top of a mantle plume, which is also known as a hot spot: A mass of relatively hot and therefore less dense mantle materials rise up from the Earth’s mantle towards the surface where it produces volcanism.įigure 2. Iceland, perched upon both the Eurasian plate and the North American plate (Figure 1), grows by about two centimeters a year, one centimeter to the east and one to the west. It formed over the past 24 million years, due mainly to two geological phenomena: Firstly, the fact that it is located at a diverging plate boundary, also known as a constructive plate boundary, as new crust is created here by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Geologically speaking, Iceland is very young. Iceland is often referred to as a land of “ice and fire.” It’s home to many volcanoes and, due to its location in the North Atlantic and its proximity to the Arctic Circle several glaciers. A 27-kilometer-long fissure tore through the landscape, beginning an eruption, which would last until February 7, 1784. In the highlands in southeastern Iceland, a volcano erupted. The major volcanic zones are also indicated. The location of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is shown here as a bold red line. Iceland’s location on two tectonic plates. Iceland-The land of ice and fireįigure 1. What could have caused these phenomena? Could these phenomena possibly all be connected? 1.
Many other phenomena were recorded throughout the year, including earthquakes and unusually frequent thunderstorms, leading to 1783 being dubbed an annus mirabilis, a year of awe. The Europeans were unaware that this was the result of a devastating event unfolding in Iceland. In 1783, a mysterious dry fog enveloped the continent of Europe, blood-red sunsets were reported throughout the summer, and many reported a sulfuric smell, breathing difficulties and sore eyes.
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