Dynamics of volcanic systems in Iceland: Example of tectonism and volcanism at juxtaposed hot spot and mid-ocean ridge systems

Volcanic systems are swarms of tectonic fractures and basalt volcanoes formed as a result of plate-pull las the plates are pulled apart) associated with the mid-ocean ridges and the magma dynamics of the Iceland Mantle Plume, Most systems an 40-150 km long, 5-20 km wide, and develop a central volcano. They supply magma to all eruptions in Iceland. Data obtained in the last few years have greatly improved our knowledge of their volcanotectonic environment; as a result, the geometry of the plume is better constrained, and the crust, previously considered thin (similar to 10 km), is now modeled as thick (similar to 20-40 km). Depending on the location of the volcanic systems, their activity either decreases or increases faulting in the two main seismic zones. From this, we can infer that emplacement of the feeder-dike to the largest historical eruption in Iceland (that of Laki in 1783) increased shear stress in the South Iceland Seismic Zone and almost certainly triggered the largest (M similar to 7.1 in 1784) historical earthquake in Iceland.