Gylfi Páll Hersir

Magnetotelluric survey across the active spreading zone in Southwest Iceland

Abstract The results of 10 magnetotelluric soundings, performed along a 110-km-long profile crossing the constructive plate boundary in southwest Iceland, are presented. Apparent resistivities are interpreted by a horizontally stratified earth model to yield a pseudo cross-section along the profile. The crust-mantle interface contains a well conductive layer. The depth to the good conductor increases with age of the crust and the distance from the axial zone. This layer is interpreted as partially molten basalt, at a temperature about 1100°C and a volume fraction of the melt phase in the range 10–20%. The high-conductivity layer probably disappears west of the Borgarnes anticlinal axis, which separates the older (to the west) and younger (to the east) flood basalts in western Iceland, indicating that the temperature below the oldest part of the profile lies below the solidus curve of basalt. Recent seismic crustal investigations in the same area indicate a state of partial melting or a magma chamber, which agrees with the results of the magnetotelluric soundings.

Dynamic strain determination using fibre-optic cables allows imaging of seismological and structural features

Natural hazard prediction and efficient crust exploration require dense seismic observations both in time and space. Seismological techniques provide ground-motion data, whose accuracy depends on sensor characteristics and spatial distribution. Here we demonstrate that dynamic strain determination is possible with conventional fibre-optic cables deployed for telecommunication. Extending recently distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) studies, we present high resolution spatially un-aliased broadband strain data. We recorded seismic signals from natural and man-made sources with 4-m spacing along a 15-km-long fibre-optic cable layout on Reykjanes Peninsula, SW-Iceland. We identify with unprecedented resolution structural features such as normal faults and volcanic dykes in the Reykjanes Oblique Rift, allowing us to infer new dynamic fault processes. Conventional seismometer recordings, acquired simultaneously, validate the spectral amplitude DAS response between 0.1 and 100 Hz bandwidth. We suggest that the networks of fibre-optic telecommunication lines worldwide could be used as seismometers opening a new window for Earth hazard assessment and exploration.Imaging the internal structure of faults remains challenging using conventional seismometers. Here, the authors use fibre-optic cables used for telecommunications to obtain strain data and identify faults and volcanic dykes in Iceland and suggest that fibre-optic cables could be used for hazard assessment.

Testing vertical seismic profiling (VSP) as a subsurface mapping method at the Krafla volcanic geothermal field in Iceland

Summary Vertical seismic profiling (VSP) was tested for mapping volcanic stratigraphy, fractures, dykes, fluid and steam in the geothermal area of Krafla in Iceland. Seismic imaging in magmatic environments is very challenging, largely due to the intense scattering of seismic waves traveling through the highly heterogeneous volcanic rocks. VSP offers means to image structures beneath and away from the well in complex volcanic environments. The VSP survey at Krafla was carried out in two wells, for each of which a zero offset, a far offset and a walk-away experiment were recorded. The zero offset data is of good quality, with the observed reflections corresponding to stratigraphic boundaries that can be explained by a simple 1D velocity model. The corridor stacks of the synthetic and field data look similar to each other, apart from a constant time shift and amplitude differences. High scattering in the subsurface leads to low amplitude reflections from deeper horizons. The walk-away data shows little coherent reflectivity. Furthermore, a complex 2D velocity model involving heterogeneities in the horizontal as well as vertical directions will be required to explain the observed seismograms.