New Interpretation of the Geology of Iceland

Research Article| November 01, 1971 New Interpretation of the Geology of Iceland PETER L WARD PETER L WARD Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 AUTHOR'S PRESENT ADDRESS: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, NATIONAL CENTER FOR EARTHQUAKE RESEARCH, MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information PETER L WARD AUTHOR'S PRESENT ADDRESS: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, NATIONAL CENTER FOR EARTHQUAKE RESEARCH, MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA 94025 Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964 Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 02 Nov 1970 Revision Received: 27 May 1971 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Copyright © 1971, The Geological Society of America, Inc. Copyright is not claimed on any material prepared by U.S. government employees within the scope of their employment. GSA Bulletin (1971) 82 (11): 2991–3012. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[2991:NIOTGO]2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 02 Nov 1970 Revision Received: 27 May 1971 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation PETER L WARD; New Interpretation of the Geology of Iceland. GSA Bulletin 1971;; 82 (11): 2991–3012. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[2991:NIOTGO]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Two active transform faults are identified on land in Iceland. This observation leads to a new interpretation of the tectonics of Iceland that is generally consistent with the available geologic, geomorphic, and geophysical data. This new interpretation provides a framework that can be used to relate detailed geologic and geophysical studies in Iceland to worldwide processes at the crests of mid-ocean ridges.Nearly one-half of Iceland seems to have formed during a period of very slow spreading between about 9 and 20 m.y. B.P. The center of spreading within Iceland apparently shifted from western to eastern Iceland around 7 or 8 m.y. B.P. Iceland, the largest landmass on the mid-ocean ridge system, may have resulted from a change in the stress pattern on a broad fracture zone, allowing large volumes of lava to be erupted while there was little regional spreading. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.