Publication Date:
2014-05-15
Description:
Grímsvötn Volcano is the most active volcano in Iceland, and its last three eruptions were in 1998, 2004 and 2011. Here we analyze the displacement around Grímsvötn during these last three eruptive cycles using 10 GPS stations. The observed displacements in this region generally contain a linear component of tectonic and glacio-isostatic origin, in agreement with the previously estimated values of plate motions and vertical rebound. Larger amplitude deformation observed close to Grímsvötn at the GFUM continuous GPS station clearly reflects a major volcanic contribution superimposed on a tectonic component. We estimate and substract the tectonic trend at this station using regional observed displacement. The direction and pattern of the residual volcanic displacement (for co-eruptive and inter-eruptive periods) are consistent for all three of these eruptive cycles. The post-eruptive inflation is characterized by an exponential trend, followed by a linear trend. In this study, we explain this temporal behavior using a new analytic model that has two connected magma chambers surrounded by an elastic medium and fed by a constant basal magma inflow. During the early post-eruptive phase, pressure re-adjustment occurs between the two reservoirs, with replenishment of the shallow chamber from the deep chamber. Afterwards, due to the constant inflow of magma into the deep reservoir, the pressurization of the system produces linear uplift. A large deep reservoir favors magma storage rather than surface emission. Based on displacement measured at GFUM station, we estimate an upper limit for the radius of the deep reservoir of ~10 km.
Print ISSN:
0148-0227
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
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