Satellite geological and geophysical remote sensing of Iceland

The author has identified the following significant results. Most of the research emphasis was directed at the analysis of Icelandic icecaps on ERTS imagery. A number of new findings were made, including: (1) on low sun angle imagery of Hofsjokull, the outline of a probable central volcano can be seen delineated on the northwest part of the icecap; (2) on low sun angle imagery of Langjokull, two parallel hyaloclastite ridges can be seen to continue for more than 10 km in from the margin of the icecap; (3) measurements of contorted medial moraines on images of Skeioararjokull, acquired about 11 months apart show an approximate 600 m of annual glacier movement; (4) measurements on images of the surging glacier, Eyjabakkajokull, taken about 11 months apart show an approximate 1.8 km of movement during that time; and (5) successive ERTS images of the glacier-dammed lake, Graenalon, show an increase in area of the lake until the ice dam was partially breached, causing a jokulhlaup across the Skeioararsandur. Because of the shape of the lake basin the elevation of the post-jokulhlaup lake can be determined from ERTS imagery to + or - 2 m.