Oblique rift opening revealed by reoccurring magma injection in central Iceland

Joël Ruch (), Teng Wang, Wenbin Xu, Martin Hensch and Sigurjón Jónsson ()
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Joël Ruch: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Teng Wang: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Wenbin Xu: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Martin Hensch: Icelandic Meteorological Office
Sigurjón Jónsson: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Extension deficit builds up over centuries at divergent plate boundaries and is recurrently removed during rifting events, accompanied by magma intrusions and transient metre-scale deformation. However, information on transient near-field deformation has rarely been captured, hindering progress in understanding rifting mechanisms and evolution. Here we show new evidence of oblique rift opening during a rifting event influenced by pre-existing fractures and two centuries of extension deficit accumulation. This event originated from the Bárðarbunga caldera and led to the largest basaltic eruption in Iceland in >200 years. The results show that the opening was initially accompanied by left-lateral shear that ceased with increasing opening. Our results imply that pre-existing fractures play a key role in controlling oblique rift opening at divergent plate boundaries.

Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12352

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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12352

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