Tectonic Stress as the Driving Mechanism for Dike Opening in an Oblique Rift Setting: A Deformation Model of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Dike, Iceland

Abstract Repeated dike‐intrusions often occur in zones where extensional stress has accumulated. Still, geodetic modeling of observed dike‐induced ground deformation often ignores the contribution of tectonic stress. On the obliquely spreading Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, tectonic strain build‐up h...

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Main Authors: Sonja H. M. Greiner, Freysteinn Sigmundsson, Halldór Geirsson, Steffi Burchardt, Olivier Galland
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL113970
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author Sonja H. M. Greiner
Freysteinn Sigmundsson
Halldór Geirsson
Steffi Burchardt
Olivier Galland
author_facet Sonja H. M. Greiner
Freysteinn Sigmundsson
Halldór Geirsson
Steffi Burchardt
Olivier Galland
author_sort Sonja H. M. Greiner
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Repeated dike‐intrusions often occur in zones where extensional stress has accumulated. Still, geodetic modeling of observed dike‐induced ground deformation often ignores the contribution of tectonic stress. On the obliquely spreading Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, tectonic strain build‐up had been geodetically documented for three decades when a magmatic dike formed at Fagradalsfjall in 2021. We explore the contribution of tectonic stress on dike emplacement in a viscoelastic three‐dimensional Finite‐Element deformation model. Tectonic stress accumulation is initially simulated through plate motion, and later partially released by opening of a segmented rectangular dike. We find that surface deformation can be largely reproduced by releasing ∼60% of the accumulated tectonic stress. Partial stress release and low magma overpressure are consistent with successive dike intrusions and low‐intensity eruptions in the area. Our model provides an approach to consistently model stress‐release constrained by surface deformation.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0094-8276
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Wiley
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-af0b0852648b400a93bc795db03240ae2025-08-20T03:39:00ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072025-04-01528n/an/a10.1029/2024GL113970Tectonic Stress as the Driving Mechanism for Dike Opening in an Oblique Rift Setting: A Deformation Model of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Dike, IcelandSonja H. M. Greiner0Freysteinn Sigmundsson1Halldór Geirsson2Steffi Burchardt3Olivier Galland4Nordic Volcanological Center Institute of Earth Sciences University of Iceland Reykjavík IcelandNordic Volcanological Center Institute of Earth Sciences University of Iceland Reykjavík IcelandNordic Volcanological Center Institute of Earth Sciences University of Iceland Reykjavík IcelandDepartment of Earth Sciences Uppsala University Uppsala SwedenDepartment of Geosciences Physics of Geological Processes The NJORD Center University of Oslo Oslo NorwayAbstract Repeated dike‐intrusions often occur in zones where extensional stress has accumulated. Still, geodetic modeling of observed dike‐induced ground deformation often ignores the contribution of tectonic stress. On the obliquely spreading Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, tectonic strain build‐up had been geodetically documented for three decades when a magmatic dike formed at Fagradalsfjall in 2021. We explore the contribution of tectonic stress on dike emplacement in a viscoelastic three‐dimensional Finite‐Element deformation model. Tectonic stress accumulation is initially simulated through plate motion, and later partially released by opening of a segmented rectangular dike. We find that surface deformation can be largely reproduced by releasing ∼60% of the accumulated tectonic stress. Partial stress release and low magma overpressure are consistent with successive dike intrusions and low‐intensity eruptions in the area. Our model provides an approach to consistently model stress‐release constrained by surface deformation.https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL113970Volcano tectonic interactionground deformationstressReykjanes Peninsulafinite element methoddikes
spellingShingle Sonja H. M. Greiner
Freysteinn Sigmundsson
Halldór Geirsson
Steffi Burchardt
Olivier Galland
Tectonic Stress as the Driving Mechanism for Dike Opening in an Oblique Rift Setting: A Deformation Model of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Dike, Iceland
Geophysical Research Letters
Volcano tectonic interaction
ground deformation
stress
Reykjanes Peninsula
finite element method
dikes
title Tectonic Stress as the Driving Mechanism for Dike Opening in an Oblique Rift Setting: A Deformation Model of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Dike, Iceland
title_full Tectonic Stress as the Driving Mechanism for Dike Opening in an Oblique Rift Setting: A Deformation Model of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Dike, Iceland
title_fullStr Tectonic Stress as the Driving Mechanism for Dike Opening in an Oblique Rift Setting: A Deformation Model of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Dike, Iceland
title_full_unstemmed Tectonic Stress as the Driving Mechanism for Dike Opening in an Oblique Rift Setting: A Deformation Model of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Dike, Iceland
title_short Tectonic Stress as the Driving Mechanism for Dike Opening in an Oblique Rift Setting: A Deformation Model of the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Dike, Iceland
title_sort tectonic stress as the driving mechanism for dike opening in an oblique rift setting a deformation model of the 2021 fagradalsfjall dike iceland
topic Volcano tectonic interaction
ground deformation
stress
Reykjanes Peninsula
finite element method
dikes
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL113970
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