Spectacular Tectonics in Iceland

Wednesday, October 22, 2014, By Roxanna Carpenter
An overflight view taken on Sept. 8 shows the main eruptive site, known as "Baugur" (Icelandic for "ring" or "circle"). The eruption is the result of the spreading apart of two tectonic plates, the Eurasian and North American.

An overflight view taken on Sept. 8 shows the main eruptive site, known as “Baugur” (Icelandic for “ring” or “circle”). The eruption is the result of the spreading apart of two tectonic plates, the Eurasian and North American.

Structural geology and tectonics expert Jeffrey Karson, co-founder of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Lava Project with sculptor Bob Wysocki, recently traveled to Iceland to monitor early stages of the Holuhraun lava field eruption, a volcanic system that has been spewing lava since early September. He brought back photographs of his excursion and research.

A view of the eruptive plume, captured Sept. 9, was taken from about 50 kilometers to the north of the main vents. Jeffrey Karson, Earth sciences professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, describes this eruption as one of the most closely studied ever, with Iceland as a natural laboratory.

A view of the eruptive plume, captured Sept. 9, was taken from about 50 kilometers to the north of the main vents. Jeffrey Karson, Earth sciences professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, describes this eruption as one of the most closely studied ever, with Iceland as a natural laboratory.

Jeffrey Karson, an expert in structural geology and tectonics, gets within two kilometers of the main eruptive vents. His collaboration with investigators at the University of Iceland Institute of Earth Sciences gives him a first-hand view of the early stages of the eruption.

Jeffrey Karson, an expert in structural geology and tectonics, gets within two kilometers of the main eruptive vents. His collaboration with investigators at the University of Iceland Institute of Earth Sciences gives him a first-hand view of the early stages of the eruption.

Open fissures above subsurface magma conduit or channels feed the volcano's eruptive vents.

Open fissures above subsurface magma conduit or channels feed the volcano’s eruptive vents.

This evening view of a lava fountain at the volcano's central vent shows striking contrast between molten lava and surrounding rock and glacial ice. Erupting lava is thrown 50-100 meters into the air above the vents.

This evening view of a lava fountain at the volcano’s central vent shows striking contrast between molten lava and surrounding rock and glacial ice. Erupting lava is thrown 50-100 meters into the air above the vents.

In a landscape reminiscent of the lunar surface, a Phantom UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) captured this image of the main eruptive vents, about two kilometers away. The drone was at an altitude of about 200 meters.

In a landscape reminiscent of the lunar surface, a Phantom UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) captured this image of the main eruptive vents, about two kilometers away. The drone was at an altitude of about 200 meters.

Fire meets water. Incandescent orange lava magnifies the cracks in the black outer crust of solidified lava. Steam forms when the lava flows into a nearby river.

Fire meets water. Incandescent orange lava magnifies the cracks in the black outer crust of solidified lava. Steam forms when the lava flows into a nearby river.

An overflight view of Jeffrey Karson, in yellow coat, shows him making measurements of the lava flow front. This scene of an active flow lobe on a riverbank is recorded by drone flight at about 100 meters altitude. Karson Earth is an Earth sciences professor in the College of Arts and Sciences regularly travels to Iceland to study volcanic structures.

An overflight view of Jeffrey Karson, in yellow coat, shows him making measurements of the lava flow front. This scene of an active flow lobe on a riverbank is recorded by drone flight at about 100 meters altitude. Karson Earth is an Earth sciences professor in the College of Arts and Sciences regularly travels to Iceland to study volcanic structures.

Jeffrey Karson on the ground at an active lava flow lobe, works with instruments for making infrared camera measurements. Gas masks and eye protection are required because of hot, poisonous volcanic gases and wind at the eruption site.

Jeffrey Karson on the ground at an active lava flow lobe, works with instruments for making infrared camera measurements. Gas masks and eye protection are required because of hot, poisonous volcanic gases and wind at the eruption site.

Pictured here is an infrared image readout from a Forward-Looking InfraRed (FLIR) camera. In this image, the temperature scale to the right is in degrees Centigrade (1000°C=2100°F).

Pictured here is an infrared image readout from a Forward-Looking InfraRed (FLIR) camera. In this image, the temperature scale to the right is in degrees Centigrade (1000°C=2100°F).