Iceland is the only part of the North Atlantic Large Igneous Province that is still active. A concise and authoritative field guide to an exceptional natural laboratory, this volume is an essential companion for those visiting Iceland to observe the Earth in action.
As a concise and authoritative field guide toan exceptional natural laboratory, this title in the Classic Geology in Europe series will be an essential companion for those visiting Iceland to observe the Earth in action. Rifting of the crust, volcanic eruptions and glacial activity are among a host of processes and features to be found in this fascinating land.
Thor Thordarson is at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Armand Hoskuldsson is Director of the South Iceland Institute of Natural History in Vestmannaeyjar.
Preface. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Travel in Iceland. Pronunciation. The geology of Iceland.
Introduction: Geological setting: a global perspective; Geological framework; Volcanism; Tertiary, Quaternary, Holocene. The southwest: General overview; Greater Reykjavik; Reykjanes-Grindavik-Kleifarvatn. The south: General overview; THingvellir-Geysir-Gullfoss; Hreppar-THjorsardalur-Hekla. Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands): General overview; Heimaey; The 1963-7 Surtsey eruption. The central south: General overview; Eyjafjallajoekull and Myrdalur; The Fire Districts. The southeast and east: General overview; Sudursveit-Lon-Alftafjoerdu; The eastern fjords. The northeast: General overview: Joekulsa-Tjoernes; Krafla-Myvatn. The north and northwest: General overview; Fnjoskadalur to Skagi. The west: Snaefellsnes-Borgarfjoerdur - volcanic zones and rift jumps. The Highlands: General considerations; Askja-Kverkfjoell; Landmannalaugar-Veidivoetn. Glossary. Bibliography. Index. GPS coordinates.