Abstract
Large volcanic eruptions on Earth commonly occur with a collapse of the roof of a crustal magma reservoir, forming a caldera. Only a few such collapses occur per century, and the lack of detailed observations has obscured insight into the mechanical interplay between collapse and eruption.We usemultiparameter geophysical and geochemical data to show that the 110-squarekilometer and 65-meter-deep collapse of Bárdarbunga caldera in 2014-2015 was initiated through withdrawal of magma, and lateral migration through a 48-kilometers-long dike, from a 12-kilometers deep reservoir. Interaction between the pressure exerted by the subsiding reservoir roof and the physical properties of the subsurface flow path explain the gradual, nearexponential decline of both collapse rate and the intensity of the 180-day-long eruption.
Original language | English |
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Article number | aaf8988 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 353 |
Issue number | 6296 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Jul 2016 |
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Petrology and volcanology
Burton, M. (PI), Hartley, M. (PI), Mccormick Kilbride, B. (PI), Mitchell, N. (PI), Neave, D. (PI), Pawley, A. (PI), Polacci, M. (PI), Biagioli, E. (Researcher), Bonechi, B. (Researcher), Buso, R. (Researcher), Davies, B. (Researcher), Esse, B. (Researcher), Bronziet, J. (PGR student), Delbrel, J. (PGR student), Höhn, M. (PGR student), Kember, A. (PGR student), Pardo Cofrades, A. (PGR student), Sen, R. (PGR student), Stewart, A. (PGR student) & Subbaraman, R. (PGR student)
Project: Research