Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland

Freysteinn Sigmundsson; Andrew Hooper; Sigrun Hreinsdottir; Kristin S. Vogfjord; Benedikt G. Ofeigsson; Elias Rafn Heimisson; Stephanie Dumont; Michelle Parks; Karsten Spaans; Gunnar B. Gudmundsson; Vincent Drouin; Thora Arnadottir; Kristin Jonsdottir; Magnus T. Gudmundsson; Thordis Hognadottir; Hildur Maria Fridriksdottir; Martin Hensch; Pall Einarsson; Eyjolfur Magnusson; Sergey Samsonov; Bryndis Brandsdottir; Robert S. White; Thorbjoerg Agustsdottir; Tim Greenfield; Robert G. Green; Asta Rut Hjartardottir; Rikke Pedersen; Richard A. Bennett; Halldor Geirsson; Peter C. La Femina; Helgi Bjornsson; Finnur Palsson; Erik Sturkell; Christopher J. Bean; Martin Mollhoff; Aoife K. Braiden; Eva P. S. Eibl

doi:10.1038/nature14111

Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland

Freysteinn Sigmundsson, Andrew Hooper, Sigrun Hreinsdottir, Kristin S. Vogfjord, Benedikt G. Ofeigsson, Elias Rafn Heimisson, Stephanie Dumont, Michelle Parks, Karsten Spaans, Gunnar B. Gudmundsson, Vincent Drouin, Thora Arnadottir, Kristin Jonsdottir, Magnus T. Gudmundsson, Thordis Hognadottir, Hildur Maria Fridriksdottir, Martin Hensch, Pall Einarsson, Eyjolfur Magnusson, Sergey SamsonovBryndis Brandsdottir, Robert S. White, Thorbjoerg Agustsdottir, Tim Greenfield, Robert G. Green, Asta Rut Hjartardottir, Rikke Pedersen, Richard A. Bennett, Halldor Geirsson, Peter C. La Femina, Helgi Bjornsson, Finnur Palsson, Erik Sturkell, Christopher J. Bean, Martin Mollhoff, Aoife K. Braiden, Eva P. S. Eibl

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Abstract

Crust at many divergent plate boundaries forms primarily by the injection of vertical sheet-like dykes, some tens of kilometres long. Previous models of rifting events indicate either lateral dyke growth away from a feeding source, with propagation rates decreasing as the dyke lengthens, or magma flowing vertically into dykes from an underlying source, with the role of topography on the evolution of lateral dykes not clear. Here we show how a recent segmented dyke intrusion in the Bárðarbunga volcanic system grew laterally for more than 45 kilometres at a variable rate, with topography influencing the direction of propagation. Barriers at the ends of each segment were overcome by the build-up of pressure in the dyke end; then a new segment formed and dyke lengthening temporarily peaked. The dyke evolution, which occurred primarily over 14 days, was revealed by propagating seismicity, ground deformation mapped by Global Positioning System (GPS), interferometric analysis of satellite radar images (InSAR), and graben formation. The strike of the dyke segments varies from an initially radial direction away from the Bárðarbunga caldera, towards alignment with that expected from regional stress at the distal end. A model minimizing the combined strain and gravitational potential energy explains the propagation path. Dyke opening and seismicity focused at the most distal segment at any given time, and were simultaneous with magma source deflation and slow collapse at the Bárðarbunga caldera, accompanied by a series of magnitude M > 5 earthquakes. Dyke growth was slowed down by an effusive fissure eruption near the end of the dyke. Lateral dyke growth with segment barrier breaking by pressure build-up in the dyke distal end explains how focused upwelling of magma under central volcanoes is effectively redistributed over long distances to create new upper crust at divergent plate boundaries.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	191-U158
Number of pages	190
Journal	NATURE
Volume	517
Issue number	7533
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14111
State	Published - 2015
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2021-10-08
Acknowledgements: Support for this work was received from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme Grant No. 308377 (Project FUTUREVOLC), the Icelandic Research Fund (Project Volcano Anatomy), the Research Fund at the University of Iceland, NERC, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the US National Science Foundation (NSF). COSMO-SkyMed data were provided by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and TerraSAR-X data by the German Space Agency (DLR) through the Icelandic Volcanoes Supersite project supported by the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites (CEOS). RADARSAT-2 data were provided by the Canadian Space Agency and MDA Corporation. Natural Resources Canada Earth Sciences Sector contribution number 20140314. An intermediate TanDEM-X digital elevation model was provided by DLR under project IDEM_GEOL0123. We thank the following key persons for help with instrumentation and data: B. H. Bergsson, þ. Jo´nsson, V. H. Kjartansson, S. Steino´rsson, P. Erlendsson, H. O´ lafsson, J. So¨ring and D. Craig. We also acknowledge the many others who have contributed to GPS, seismic and other field work in the study area. For GPS equipment and support, we acknowledge services provided by the UNAVCO Facility with support from the US NSF and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under NSF Cooperative Agreements Nos EAR-0735156 and EAR-0711446. S. Jo´nsson (KAUST, Saudi Arabia) and T. Villemin (EDYTEM, Universite´ de Savoie, France) also provided support to GPS. Seismic equipment: The British Geological Survey donated several of the broadband seismic sensors around Vatnajo¨kull. We thank the SEISUK facility for loans to R.S.W. of seismometers under loan 980. Landsvirkjun contributed GPS instruments and seismic sensors north of Vatnajo¨kull. The surveying aeroplane of Isavia (Icelandic Aviation Operation Services) mapped the subsidence of Ba´rðarbunga. The Icelandic Coast Guard provided aeroplane and helicopter support for field studies.
This publication acknowledges KAUST support, but has no KAUST affiliated authors.

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Cite this

Sigmundsson, F., Hooper, A., Hreinsdottir, S., Vogfjord, K. S., Ofeigsson, B. G., Heimisson, E. R., Dumont, S., Parks, M., Spaans, K., Gudmundsson, G. B., Drouin, V., Arnadottir, T., Jonsdottir, K., Gudmundsson, M. T., Hognadottir, T., Fridriksdottir, H. M., Hensch, M., Einarsson, P., Magnusson, E., ... Eibl, E. P. S. (2015). Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland. NATURE, 517(7533), 191-U158. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14111

@article{d413bc60fab04e22906329eb34dfc578,

title = "Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland",

abstract = "Crust at many divergent plate boundaries forms primarily by the injection of vertical sheet-like dykes, some tens of kilometres long. Previous models of rifting events indicate either lateral dyke growth away from a feeding source, with propagation rates decreasing as the dyke lengthens, or magma flowing vertically into dykes from an underlying source, with the role of topography on the evolution of lateral dykes not clear. Here we show how a recent segmented dyke intrusion in the B{\'a}r{\dh}arbunga volcanic system grew laterally for more than 45 kilometres at a variable rate, with topography influencing the direction of propagation. Barriers at the ends of each segment were overcome by the build-up of pressure in the dyke end; then a new segment formed and dyke lengthening temporarily peaked. The dyke evolution, which occurred primarily over 14 days, was revealed by propagating seismicity, ground deformation mapped by Global Positioning System (GPS), interferometric analysis of satellite radar images (InSAR), and graben formation. The strike of the dyke segments varies from an initially radial direction away from the B{\'a}r{\dh}arbunga caldera, towards alignment with that expected from regional stress at the distal end. A model minimizing the combined strain and gravitational potential energy explains the propagation path. Dyke opening and seismicity focused at the most distal segment at any given time, and were simultaneous with magma source deflation and slow collapse at the B{\'a}r{\dh}arbunga caldera, accompanied by a series of magnitude M > 5 earthquakes. Dyke growth was slowed down by an effusive fissure eruption near the end of the dyke. Lateral dyke growth with segment barrier breaking by pressure build-up in the dyke distal end explains how focused upwelling of magma under central volcanoes is effectively redistributed over long distances to create new upper crust at divergent plate boundaries.",

author = "Freysteinn Sigmundsson and Andrew Hooper and Sigrun Hreinsdottir and Vogfjord, {Kristin S.} and Ofeigsson, {Benedikt G.} and Heimisson, {Elias Rafn} and Stephanie Dumont and Michelle Parks and Karsten Spaans and Gudmundsson, {Gunnar B.} and Vincent Drouin and Thora Arnadottir and Kristin Jonsdottir and Gudmundsson, {Magnus T.} and Thordis Hognadottir and Fridriksdottir, {Hildur Maria} and Martin Hensch and Pall Einarsson and Eyjolfur Magnusson and Sergey Samsonov and Bryndis Brandsdottir and White, {Robert S.} and Thorbjoerg Agustsdottir and Tim Greenfield and Green, {Robert G.} and Hjartardottir, {Asta Rut} and Rikke Pedersen and Bennett, {Richard A.} and Halldor Geirsson and {La Femina}, {Peter C.} and Helgi Bjornsson and Finnur Palsson and Erik Sturkell and Bean, {Christopher J.} and Martin Mollhoff and Braiden, {Aoife K.} and Eibl, {Eva P. S.}",

note = "KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2021-10-08 Acknowledgements: Support for this work was received from the European Community{\textquoteright}s Seventh Framework Programme Grant No. 308377 (Project FUTUREVOLC), the Icelandic Research Fund (Project Volcano Anatomy), the Research Fund at the University of Iceland, NERC, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the US National Science Foundation (NSF). COSMO-SkyMed data were provided by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and TerraSAR-X data by the German Space Agency (DLR) through the Icelandic Volcanoes Supersite project supported by the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites (CEOS). RADARSAT-2 data were provided by the Canadian Space Agency and MDA Corporation. Natural Resources Canada Earth Sciences Sector contribution number 20140314. An intermediate TanDEM-X digital elevation model was provided by DLR under project IDEM_GEOL0123. We thank the following key persons for help with instrumentation and data: B. H. Bergsson, {\th}. Jo´nsson, V. H. Kjartansson, S. Steino´rsson, P. Erlendsson, H. O´ lafsson, J. So¨ring and D. Craig. We also acknowledge the many others who have contributed to GPS, seismic and other field work in the study area. For GPS equipment and support, we acknowledge services provided by the UNAVCO Facility with support from the US NSF and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under NSF Cooperative Agreements Nos EAR-0735156 and EAR-0711446. S. Jo´nsson (KAUST, Saudi Arabia) and T. Villemin (EDYTEM, Universite´ de Savoie, France) also provided support to GPS. Seismic equipment: The British Geological Survey donated several of the broadband seismic sensors around Vatnajo¨kull. We thank the SEISUK facility for loans to R.S.W. of seismometers under loan 980. Landsvirkjun contributed GPS instruments and seismic sensors north of Vatnajo¨kull. The surveying aeroplane of Isavia (Icelandic Aviation Operation Services) mapped the subsidence of Ba´r{\dh}arbunga. The Icelandic Coast Guard provided aeroplane and helicopter support for field studies. This publication acknowledges KAUST support, but has no KAUST affiliated authors.",

year = "2015",

doi = "10.1038/nature14111",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "517",

pages = "191--U158",

journal = "NATURE",

issn = "1476-4687",

publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",

number = "7533",

}

Sigmundsson, F, Hooper, A, Hreinsdottir, S, Vogfjord, KS, Ofeigsson, BG, Heimisson, ER, Dumont, S, Parks, M, Spaans, K, Gudmundsson, GB, Drouin, V, Arnadottir, T, Jonsdottir, K, Gudmundsson, MT, Hognadottir, T, Fridriksdottir, HM, Hensch, M, Einarsson, P, Magnusson, E, Samsonov, S, Brandsdottir, B, White, RS, Agustsdottir, T, Greenfield, T, Green, RG, Hjartardottir, AR, Pedersen, R, Bennett, RA, Geirsson, H, La Femina, PC, Bjornsson, H, Palsson, F, Sturkell, E, Bean, CJ, Mollhoff, M, Braiden, AK & Eibl, EPS 2015, 'Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland', NATURE, vol. 517, no. 7533, pp. 191-U158. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14111

TY - JOUR

T1 - Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland

AU - Sigmundsson, Freysteinn

AU - Hooper, Andrew

AU - Hreinsdottir, Sigrun

AU - Vogfjord, Kristin S.

AU - Ofeigsson, Benedikt G.

AU - Heimisson, Elias Rafn

AU - Dumont, Stephanie

AU - Parks, Michelle

AU - Spaans, Karsten

AU - Gudmundsson, Gunnar B.

AU - Drouin, Vincent

AU - Arnadottir, Thora

AU - Jonsdottir, Kristin

AU - Gudmundsson, Magnus T.

AU - Hognadottir, Thordis

AU - Fridriksdottir, Hildur Maria

AU - Hensch, Martin

AU - Einarsson, Pall

AU - Magnusson, Eyjolfur

AU - Samsonov, Sergey

AU - Brandsdottir, Bryndis

AU - White, Robert S.

AU - Agustsdottir, Thorbjoerg

AU - Greenfield, Tim

AU - Green, Robert G.

AU - Hjartardottir, Asta Rut

AU - Pedersen, Rikke

AU - Bennett, Richard A.

AU - Geirsson, Halldor

AU - La Femina, Peter C.

AU - Bjornsson, Helgi

AU - Palsson, Finnur

AU - Sturkell, Erik

AU - Bean, Christopher J.

AU - Mollhoff, Martin

AU - Braiden, Aoife K.

AU - Eibl, Eva P. S.

N1 - KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2021-10-08 Acknowledgements: Support for this work was received from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme Grant No. 308377 (Project FUTUREVOLC), the Icelandic Research Fund (Project Volcano Anatomy), the Research Fund at the University of Iceland, NERC, the Geological Survey of Ireland and the US National Science Foundation (NSF). COSMO-SkyMed data were provided by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and TerraSAR-X data by the German Space Agency (DLR) through the Icelandic Volcanoes Supersite project supported by the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites (CEOS). RADARSAT-2 data were provided by the Canadian Space Agency and MDA Corporation. Natural Resources Canada Earth Sciences Sector contribution number 20140314. An intermediate TanDEM-X digital elevation model was provided by DLR under project IDEM_GEOL0123. We thank the following key persons for help with instrumentation and data: B. H. Bergsson, þ. Jo´nsson, V. H. Kjartansson, S. Steino´rsson, P. Erlendsson, H. O´ lafsson, J. So¨ring and D. Craig. We also acknowledge the many others who have contributed to GPS, seismic and other field work in the study area. For GPS equipment and support, we acknowledge services provided by the UNAVCO Facility with support from the US NSF and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under NSF Cooperative Agreements Nos EAR-0735156 and EAR-0711446. S. Jo´nsson (KAUST, Saudi Arabia) and T. Villemin (EDYTEM, Universite´ de Savoie, France) also provided support to GPS. Seismic equipment: The British Geological Survey donated several of the broadband seismic sensors around Vatnajo¨kull. We thank the SEISUK facility for loans to R.S.W. of seismometers under loan 980. Landsvirkjun contributed GPS instruments and seismic sensors north of Vatnajo¨kull. The surveying aeroplane of Isavia (Icelandic Aviation Operation Services) mapped the subsidence of Ba´rðarbunga. The Icelandic Coast Guard provided aeroplane and helicopter support for field studies. This publication acknowledges KAUST support, but has no KAUST affiliated authors.

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - Crust at many divergent plate boundaries forms primarily by the injection of vertical sheet-like dykes, some tens of kilometres long. Previous models of rifting events indicate either lateral dyke growth away from a feeding source, with propagation rates decreasing as the dyke lengthens, or magma flowing vertically into dykes from an underlying source, with the role of topography on the evolution of lateral dykes not clear. Here we show how a recent segmented dyke intrusion in the Bárðarbunga volcanic system grew laterally for more than 45 kilometres at a variable rate, with topography influencing the direction of propagation. Barriers at the ends of each segment were overcome by the build-up of pressure in the dyke end; then a new segment formed and dyke lengthening temporarily peaked. The dyke evolution, which occurred primarily over 14 days, was revealed by propagating seismicity, ground deformation mapped by Global Positioning System (GPS), interferometric analysis of satellite radar images (InSAR), and graben formation. The strike of the dyke segments varies from an initially radial direction away from the Bárðarbunga caldera, towards alignment with that expected from regional stress at the distal end. A model minimizing the combined strain and gravitational potential energy explains the propagation path. Dyke opening and seismicity focused at the most distal segment at any given time, and were simultaneous with magma source deflation and slow collapse at the Bárðarbunga caldera, accompanied by a series of magnitude M > 5 earthquakes. Dyke growth was slowed down by an effusive fissure eruption near the end of the dyke. Lateral dyke growth with segment barrier breaking by pressure build-up in the dyke distal end explains how focused upwelling of magma under central volcanoes is effectively redistributed over long distances to create new upper crust at divergent plate boundaries.

AB - Crust at many divergent plate boundaries forms primarily by the injection of vertical sheet-like dykes, some tens of kilometres long. Previous models of rifting events indicate either lateral dyke growth away from a feeding source, with propagation rates decreasing as the dyke lengthens, or magma flowing vertically into dykes from an underlying source, with the role of topography on the evolution of lateral dykes not clear. Here we show how a recent segmented dyke intrusion in the Bárðarbunga volcanic system grew laterally for more than 45 kilometres at a variable rate, with topography influencing the direction of propagation. Barriers at the ends of each segment were overcome by the build-up of pressure in the dyke end; then a new segment formed and dyke lengthening temporarily peaked. The dyke evolution, which occurred primarily over 14 days, was revealed by propagating seismicity, ground deformation mapped by Global Positioning System (GPS), interferometric analysis of satellite radar images (InSAR), and graben formation. The strike of the dyke segments varies from an initially radial direction away from the Bárðarbunga caldera, towards alignment with that expected from regional stress at the distal end. A model minimizing the combined strain and gravitational potential energy explains the propagation path. Dyke opening and seismicity focused at the most distal segment at any given time, and were simultaneous with magma source deflation and slow collapse at the Bárðarbunga caldera, accompanied by a series of magnitude M > 5 earthquakes. Dyke growth was slowed down by an effusive fissure eruption near the end of the dyke. Lateral dyke growth with segment barrier breaking by pressure build-up in the dyke distal end explains how focused upwelling of magma under central volcanoes is effectively redistributed over long distances to create new upper crust at divergent plate boundaries.

UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10754/672262

UR - http://www.nature.com/articles/nature14111

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84941146487&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/nature14111

DO - 10.1038/nature14111

M3 - Article

SN - 1476-4687

VL - 517

SP - 191-U158

JO - NATURE

JF - NATURE

IS - 7533

ER -

Segmented lateral dyke growth in a rifting event at Bardarbunga volcanic system, Iceland

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