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Crustal Structure of the Iceland Region from Spectrally Correlated Free-air and Terrain Gravity DataSeismic refraction studies have provided critical, but spatially restricted constraints on the structure of the Icelandic crust. To obtain a more comprehensive regional view of this tectonically complicated area, we spectrally correlated free-air gravity anomalies against computed gravity effects of the terrain for a crustal thickness model that also conforms to regional seismic and thermal constraints. Our regional crustal thickness estimates suggest thickened crust extends up to 500 km on either side of the Greenland-Scotland Ridge with the Iceland-Faeroe Ridge crust being less extended and on average 3-5 km thinner than the crust of the Greenland-Iceland Ridge. Crustal thickness estimates for Iceland range from 25-35 km in conformity with seismic predictions of a cooler, thicker crust. However, the deepening of our gravity-inferred Moho relative to seismic estimates at the thermal plume and rift zones of Iceland suggests partial melting. The amount of partial melting may range from about 8% beneath the rift zones to perhaps 20% above the plume core where mantle temperatures may be 200-400 C above normal. Beneath Iceland, areally limited regions of partial melting may also be compositionally and mechanically layered and intruded. The mantle plume appears to be centered at (64.6 deg N, 17.4 deg W) near the Vatnajokull Glacier and the central Icelandic neovolcanic zones.
Document ID
20040012820
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Leftwich, T. E.
(Ohio State Univ. Columbus, OH, United States)
vonFrese, R. R. B.
(Ohio State Univ. Columbus, OH, United States)
Potts, L. V.
(Ohio State Univ. Columbus, OH, United States)
Roman, D. R.
(National Geodetic Survey Silver Spring, MD, United States)
Taylor, P. T.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Meeting Information
Meeting: Icelandic Plume and Crust Symposium
Location: Reykjanes Peninsula,
Country: Iceland
Start Date: September 8, 2001
End Date: September 10, 2001
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-7645
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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