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Magma–ice–sediment interactions and the origin of lava/hyaloclastite sequences in the Síða formation, South Iceland

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Abstract

Products of subglacial volcanism can illuminate reconstructions of paleo-environmental conditions on both local and regional scales. Competing interpretations of Pleistocene conditions in south Iceland have been proposed based on an extensive sequence of repeating lava-and-hyaloclastite deposits in the Síða district. We propose here a new eruptive model and refine the glacial environment during eruption based on field research and analytical data for the Síða district lava/hyaloclastite units. Field observations from this and previous studies reveal a repeating sequence of cogenetic lava and hyaloclastite deposits extending many kilometers from their presumed eruptive source. Glasses from lava selvages and unaltered hyaloclastites have very low H2O, S, and CO2 concentrations, indicating significant degassing at or close to atmospheric pressure prior to quenching. We also present a scenario that demonstrates virtual co-emplacement of the two eruptive products. Our data and model results suggest repeated eruptions under thin ice or partially subaerial conditions, rather than eruption under a thick ice sheet or subglacial conditions as previously proposed.

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Acknowledgements

TJB thanks Thor Thordarson, Guðrún Larsen, and Níels Óskarsson for helpful discussions during field research and writing. Many thanks also go to Sigurður Jakobsson and Léo Kristjánsson at the University of Iceland for initial FTIR work and field equipment, respectively. This manuscript was significantly improved by helpful reviews from Alex Nichols, R.J. Brown, Benjamin Edwards, and Larry Mastin. TJB acknowledges financial support from American-Scandinavian Foundation and Geological Society of America Penrose awards, as well as support from Rannís, the Icelandic research society. Funding was also provided by NSF grant EAR-0409876 to CFM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA

    Tenley J. Banik, Calvin F. Miller & David J. Furbish

  2. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA

    Paul J. Wallace

  3. Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, IS101, Iceland

    Ármann Höskuldsson

  4. U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd. MS-910, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA

    Charles R. Bacon

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  1. Tenley J. Banik
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Correspondence to Tenley J. Banik.

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Banik, T.J., Wallace, P.J., Höskuldsson, Á. et al. Magma–ice–sediment interactions and the origin of lava/hyaloclastite sequences in the Síða formation, South Iceland. Bull Volcanol 76, 785 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-013-0785-3

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