Should Iceland expect continued volcanic eruptions?

Research published in Terra Nova provides insights into the ongoing eruption series on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland that began in 2021. The eruptions forced the evacuation of an entire town, with an uncertain future about the possibility for residents to return.

For the study, investigators analyzed information from local earthquakes and geochemical data on lava samples erupted through time. The combined evidence implies that the lavas that have erupted in recent years were derived from a moderately-sized magma reservoir that delivers magma to the surface.

“The results provide strong evidence that Iceland must be prepared for volcanic episodes to continue into the future, possibly for years to decades,” said lead author Valentin R. Troll, PhD, of Uppsala University, in Sweden.

URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ter.12733

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About the Journal
Terra Nova is an earth science journal publishing short, innovative and provocative papers that expose new general principles and understanding, or challenge conventional wisdom. Due to the pioneering content we have a wide and international readership. Terra Nova covers the broadest spectrum of the Solid Earth and Planetary Sciences – encompassing geology, geophysics and geochemistry. 

About Wiley
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