Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

Iceland, the land of Fire and Ice

Dr Rebecca Williams, Reader in Volcanology, The University of Hull

Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is unique and spectacular and has long fascinated geologists and geographers. Its landscape is carved by the competing forces of volcanism and glaciation. Located above a divergent plate boundary and a hotspot, the island is dominated by basaltic volcanism. Recent eruptions at Fagradalsfjall have showcased the typical Icelandic style of volcanism, with fissure eruptions, lava fountains and lava flows, drawing huge crowds to marvel at the spectacle. However, these eruptions are not always tourist-friendly. The fissure eruption of Laki led to a famine that killed about 25% of the island’s population and resulted in a drop in global temperatures. This caused crop failures in Europe and may have caused excessive deaths in the UK. The interactions of the volcanoes with the icecaps in Iceland leads to particular eruption styles and landforms. The ice may constrain erupted material, may melt to create unique hazards, or lead to explosive eruptions as the cold ice meets the hot magma.  The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull entered an explosive phase when more evolved magma was erupted under the summit glacier, sending an ash cloud across Europe grounding flights and causing travel chaos. This talk explores the fascinating geology of Iceland, comparing some of the most interesting eruptions and new advances that have been made in volcanology through their study.

Memorial Lecture in thanksgiving for the life of David Rowe.

7pm in the Tempest Anderson Lecture Theatre in the Yorkshire Museum

All welcome to this free event; although donations are welcome.

IMAGE: Fagradalsfjall eruption 2022/ Creative Commons